Dallas Mavericks: Smaller Free Agent Targets

Forwards

The Mavericks have a shortage of forwards heading into the offseason with Jeremy Evans the only player under contract in the 2016-17 season. Dirk and Chandler Parsons are both player options who have each said they are planning on opting out and becoming free agents.

In all likelihood, Dallas will be returning both starters from last year and will be led by Parsons/Nowitzki once more. If that is the case, the chase for an elite level forward will probably not be a necessity and the Mavs can search for some high level backups.

David Lee could be put in either the forward spot or the center spot seeing as his abilities make him a capable player at both positions. A decent jump shooter and an above average post player make David Lee a dangerous player on the offensive end.

Couple that with the workout regime that he employed last year to get him in better shape and his defense is far from the issue it was earlier in his career. Lee also enjoyed his time in Dallas and could easily be convinced to return if we offer him the right amount.

Jared Dudley is coming off of one of his better seasons in the league, helping the Wizards with his 3-point shooting and his ability to play both the 3 and a stretch-4 position. This could come in handy for the Mavericks who are hoping to get Dirk back to a more reasonable minute threshold in the upcoming season.

Dudley is a capable defender and great shooter who still has a lot in the tank as he will be 31 in the upcoming season. Having versatility off the bench with players like Devin Harris, Justin Anderson, and a Jared Dudley type player could bode well in the ever-changing NBA.

Jeff Green has been a bigger name than a player in his NBA career. Having trouble finding his mark in multiple different organizations (most recently the L.A. Clippers), Green will probably be looking for a fresh start and Dallas may be a good place to do it.

Green will be turning 30 this year and may be looking at a pay decrease as is. The Mavs should have some cap flexibility and, with their history of reviving careers that had taken a down turn, it could be interesting to see if Dallas takes a shot with Green. Could play both forward positions with his size and athleticism.

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Kent Bazemore is coming off his breakout year in Atlanta, replacing DeMarre Carroll as the small forward there. After setting a new career high in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and minutes per game, Bazemore could be an overlooked commodity this offseason.

He will definitely be due for a pay raise this offseason but, with much bigger names headlining the free agent market this year, he could easily slip through the cracks and find his way to Dallas on a team friendly deal. Bazemore could easily bolster the bench for Dallas and bring scoring and defense to the second unit, but he will likely be looking for another starting spot.

Marvin Williams has been a solid player for the Hornets this year and has shown just how consistent he can be. Averaging about 10 points and 5 rebounds per game for his career and basically every season he has played, Williams would be a solid backup power forward for Dirk.

Utilizing his consistency, Williams could be a good commodity to have in a second unit. The Mavericks did not have the scoring power from its bench in the last few seasons that it is used to having and Williams could help bring that back.

(All forwards mentioned above will be unrestricted free agents this offseason.)

Next: Centers