Ranking Dallas Mavericks free agent targets by position

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SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 7: Paul George #13 and Jerami Grant #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Sacramento Kings on November 7, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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3. Davis Bertans

Bertans is a similar type of player to Aron Baynes, also formerly of the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavs have themselves one of the elite coaches in the entire sport, but anyone coached by Gregg Popovich has a leg up on other players around his level of play. Bertans usually slid over to power forward in San Antonio, but the Mavs will still have the option of playing him at the three given their lack of depth at the position currently.

Bertans would help the Mavericks improve from being second to last in rebounding last year. He only averaged two RPG a season ago, but at 6”10 and 210 LBS, the Mavericks can assume that he will help them on the glass with more playing time. Bertans shouldn’t be the first name on the board for the Mavs, but he could be a useful part of an otherwise thin rotation.

2. Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant might have suffered from the Russell Westbrook-effect in Oklahoma City, but it is no secret that he is offensively limited. He averaged eight PPG in 20 MPG last season, which could be worse considering the team’s constant ball-stopping between Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony.

Grant by himself might not make a difference in the standings for the Mavericks, but his arrival would be to help solidify a third unit on the bench. The Mavs have not had the necessary depth in recent years to contend with the best in the western conference, but Grant could give them one more skilled defender to keep in the toolshed.

1. Paul George

This one is obviously a bit of a pipe dream, but the Mavericks should monitor the Paul George situation closely. While his desires to go to Los Angeles or stay for more money in Oklahoma City are well documented, the Mavs should at least put their head in the ring given that they may be able to get off of Wesley Matthews’ awful contract in order to clear cap space for George.

The Mavs are not currently the sexiest option for free agents, but if the team is able to swing a trade for DeAndre Jordan which is currently in the works, then George could be somewhat interested. The Mavs have made it clear that they want to get back into the race for the last playoff spot in the western conference, and adding George would likely do that and then some.

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