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The Dallas Mavericks Should Go Get Josh Huestis this Summer

By Kohl Rast

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Josh Huestis #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Josh Huestis #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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One of the lesser known players in the league will be a free agent this summer. The Dallas Mavericks should be calling Josh Huestis when free agency starts to gauge his interest immediately.

One of my favorite young wing players in the NBA is probably not very well known to most. After a solid yet unspectacular career at Stanford, Huestis was a bit of a surprise first round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft when he was picked 29th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Huestis played only 7 games in his first two seasons with the Thunder, spending most of his time in the D-League honing his craft. This past season, Huestis has played in 69 games, starting in 10 of them and he became an important player for the Thunder during a midseason stretch.

He is a known commodity on the defensive end of the floor, with his combination of length and quickness. These were on full display in the D-League, along with some impressive scoring numbers to boot. Now that he is in the big leagues for good, people are going to want to see his offense pick up.

His potential on both ends of the floor is impressive. A stellar athlete with size and speed that would really fit well with the Mavs organization. He is coachable and intelligent and will undoubtedly improve under Coach Carlisle on the offensive end. His maturity on the court is evident and his opportunity to lockdown defenders could take so much pressure off Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews in that department.

Huestis also has connections to the Mavs team. During his time at Stanford, he and Dwight Powell became good friends. Dwight Powell even attended Huestis’ wedding last summer. Josh also played with Doug McDermott last season in OKC and I believe they struck up a pretty good friendship. This would give Dallas three young guys that have played together and are all still growing. A solid start to a team hoping to end their rebuild early.

Here are a few highlights from his time in the D-League.

Huestis is not a complete player and would take some time to get where he needs to be, but the potential for this youngster is high and he would fit the Carlisle system really well. If we can sneak him in under the radar, I think the Mavs would be foolish not to.