Dallas Mavericks have the tools to be successful next season

The Dallas Mavericks should focus on signing and developing role players to provide support for their roster instead of hunting the big fish in free agency.

The Dallas Mavericks season is wrapping up, and the playoffs are again out of reach. Mavs fans have been looking forward to the offseason and possible talks of landing a big fish with their cap space.

Word on the street is that the Mavericks will try to lure a superstar like Kevin Durant or Kemba Walker. While it would be fantastic, the team has not been so successful. Besides the last two massive names they acquired, the front office traded away in DeAndre Jordan and Harrison Barnes.

Target role players

Rather than trying to use a system that hasn’t been successful, the Mavs should instead focus on what they already have and sign other free agents that flourish as role players. The Mavericks have shown in the past that they can take players and help them have a career resurgence. Al-Farouq Aminu, Seth Curry, Doug McDermott, and Yogi Ferrell are all names that fit that bill.

Improve talent on the roster

Jalen Brunson has shown to be a diamond in the rough since Dallas traded Denis Smith Jr. The way he’s playing could guarantee him a starting spot in the backcourt beside Luka Doncic next season.

Jalen will continue to improve. He will work on improving his game in the offseason. That includes building relationships with players like Luka, Kristaps Porzingis, and others. Brunson has already become a leader in the locker room, so there is only more room for him to improve.

The other players they should continue to focus on are Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith. Each player contributes in a different aspect to provide positive results.

The growth of Brunson and his ball-handling abilities should push Hardaway Jr. into the role he fits in best. He becomes an off-the-ball shooter who can handle and create his own shot if necessary.

Dorian has become an above-average defender who needs to improve his shot.

Kleber must continue to work on his shooting to become a lesser version of Dirk.

Trey Burke is another player to focus on. He has played limited minutes lately but could be an important piece if J.J. Barea is sidelined. Expect a healthy Barea to lead the second unit and continue causing havoc for the rest of the NBA.

Justin Jackson who was picked up in the Barnes trade has put on a few positive scoring displays. He’ll need some more development, but could be a positive combo forward.

Final thoughts

Once the smoke clears this summer after free agency, the Dallas Mavericks will have probably not landed a big fish.

There are so many other possible players that can come in and fill the necessary gaps, though. The Mavs already have foundation pieces in Luka, Porzingis, and Brunson, plus a pool of role players. Now all they need is to find another player or two that could compliment Luka and Porzingis. A guy that can also help lead the second unit.

Either way, this summer should be interesting for the franchise, and fans are not going to want to miss it.