The Dallas Mavericks are currently up 2-1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs but it won’t be easy to close the opponent out. Rather, the Mavericks will need all their role players to step up and there are serious doubts about whether they can do that. Other than Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks do not have any untouchables.
If the Mavericks want to become favorites in the Western Conference, they might need to revamp their roster around the two stars. Luckily, the 2024 free agency period will be stacked and there will be a way for the Mavericks to create one of the best Big Threes in the NBA this summer by acquiring one of these 10 best free agents.
Proposition: Dallas Mavericks can only land one of these free agents via sign and trade. The Mavs can send players like Tim Hardaway Jr, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, 2024 second-round pick (from Celtics), and 2025 second-round pick (from Raptors).
1. Pascal Siakam
2023-24 Season Statistics: 21.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $35-$40 million, 4-year deal
Pascal Siakam could be staying in Indiana but there isn’t direct evidence of that just yet. As a result, the Dallas Mavericks have to take the chance that the talented power forward could be a part of their team’s plans to create a Big Three.
Siakam is not an old-school power forward because of his playmaking and versatility, which makes him the perfect third option behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Expect the Mavericks to send players such as Tim Hardaway Jr, Josh Green, and Maxi Kleber along with draft picks in a sign-and-trade deal.
2. Paul George
2023-24 Season Statistics: 22.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $30-35 million, 3-year deal
All-Star and two-way wing Paul George is one of the best free agents in the NBA and he will be wanted by most franchises including the Philadelphia 76ers among others. However, the Mavericks need to act fast to try to create a Big Three by engaging in a sign-and-trade deal.
The Clippers might not be too excited by Dallas’ offer, but they might do enough convincing regardless. George is a perfect sidekick because he can space the floor and has no real weakness on either end. Averaging 38.5% from three over his career, the player fits well into Dallas’ plans.
3. DeMar DeRozan
2023-24 Season Statistics: 24.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $25-$28 million, 3-year deal
DeMar DeRozan is slowly getting past his best which makes him a great target for the Dallas Mavericks. If DeRozan was in his late 20s, it would be hard for the team to acquire him to create a Big Three. Now that he’s older, DeRozan might take a little discount.
DeRozan fits well into Dallas’ schemes because he will diversify their offense just enough considering he posted 24.0 points per game on 48.0% from the field. The near 35-year-old can be a difference-maker in the clutch as well, meaning teams will have three guys to focus on when the time comes.
4. Klay Thompson
2023-24 Season Statistics: 17.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $20-25 million, 3-year deal
There isn’t much explanation needed when analyzing how Klay Thompson could fit into the Mavericks’ current lineup. Doncic and Irving take up a ton of defensive attention and Thompson could make a killing by spotting up for open shots.
Even if he is no longer at his peak in terms of shot-making and even perimeter defense, Thompson would be a far better third option than 90% of the rest of the league. The sharpshooter is nailing 41.3% from deep for his career and could light up the scoring if he’s in Dallas.
5. Nicolas Claxton
2023-24 Season Statistics: 11.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.1 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $15-20 million, 4-year deal
Nicolas Claxton is an upgrade over Dereck Lively III. He has better hands, is quicker defensively, and has experience playing with Kyrie Irving during their time in Brooklyn. Claxton has made a name for himself in recent seasons and he will only get better once he has Doncic and Irving passing him the ball.
The athletic big man is only 25 years old and posted a near-double-double this season, meaning he has a lot more to offer. Dallas has looked thin inside the paint more often than not and Claxton could be an immediate upgrade for them as a fast-break runner, shot-blocker, and lob finisher.
6. Jonas Valanciunas
2023-24 Season Statistics: 17.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $15-20 million, 3-year deal
Jonas Valanciunas is another center who would upgrade what the Mavericks do on both ends of the court. They finished with a 20th-ranked defense and while the Lithuanian isn’t an elite defender, his raw size at 6’11” and 265 lbs makes him a factor in defending the rim.
The key for Dallas is to find a way to get the center on a team-friendly deal so they can continue building their depth. Dereck Lively III has done well in his rookie campaign, but he lacks offensive ability which Valanciunas has naturally. Posting 17.2 points per game this season, he would be a great backup option to Nic Claxton.
7. Tobias Harris
2023-24 Season Statistics: 17.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $15-20 million, 3-year deal
Tobias Harris might not be wanted by Philadelphia anymore but one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Harris is a very capable third option because he can shoot the three (36.8%), rebounds at a strong level, and has improved defensively whether he handles guards or forwards.
If he can post close to the 17.2 points per game he had this season, Harris would make Dallas a better team on the floor. The Mavericks need more offensive options to truly become a title-favorite and Harris can deliver that on a relatively consistent basis.
8. Buddy Hield
2023-24 Season Statistics: 12.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $17-$23 million, 3-year deal
Buddy Hield is a sharpshooter, posting 40.0% from three over his career, and could make the playmaking ability of Doncic even more profound. The Mavericks don’t have enough shooting and Hield would make a killing on the team whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Hield is an upgrade over Hardaway Jr on both ends of the court and is a far more consistent shooter, meaning the Mavericks would be willing to consider stealing him from the grasps of the Philadelphia 76ers who brought him in before this season’s trade deadline.
9. Miles Bridges
2023-24 Season Statistics: 21.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $14-$18 million, 3-year deal
Miles Bridges would be an upgrade for the Dallas Mavericks in the rotation. PJ Washington has been excellent for the Mavericks in the postseason, posting 14.6 points per game on 41.4% from deep, and Miles Bridges would give them another similar player.
Bridges is only 25 years old and has plenty of time to improve in his career, and could be part of a long-term core with Doncic and Irving. The forward brings elite athleticism and that could be enough for Dallas to make a move for him.
10. D’Angelo Russell
2023-24 Season Statistics: 18.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $18-$20 million, 3-year deal
The Dallas Mavericks need to prioritize the center and wing positions but D’Angelo Russell could be an option for them if they can’t find the right player immediately. Russell can become a good sixth man for them or possibly start alongside Kyrie Irving which pushed Luka Doncic to small forward.
Sure, Russell won’t fit from a defensive point of view but there are far worse free agents than him on the market. The guard can create his own offense, moves the ball well, and shot 41.5% from three this season which could make him an interesting candidate.
