The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks: Ranking the 10 best free agent targets for the Mavs

By Kohl Rast

TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 29 - Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks after passing Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as the Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 131-128 in overtime in Toronto. November 29, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 29 - Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks after passing Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as the Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 131-128 in overtime in Toronto. November 29, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 1: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a free throw during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 1, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 1: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a free throw during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 1, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Kemba Walker

It is hard to determine the best players for the Mavericks when you have to consider both the fit and just the overall talent level. Kemba Walker is one of those guys that really had to be adjusted accordingly. I think Kemba has proven to be maybe a top 15 to top 20 player in the league this year which is honestly really incredible considering the kind of journey he has gone through.

Now the rumors linking Kemba to Dallas or just that Kemba could be leaving Charlotte are all over the place including this one from The Smoking Cuban co-editor, Tyler Watts. Dallas has the money and may have the interest to steer Kemba into their arms and into the starting lineup alongside Luka.

If that does work out, the Mavs would be getting one of the more underrated players of the last half decade. Kemba went from a good player in his first three or four seasons to an elite, top 5 point guard over the past 4 years. Kemba’s play style has evolved a ton over his career as well.

When he first came to the league, Kemba seemed to be a high energy, athletic slasher without a reliable jump shot. Over the past four years, he has shot almost 38% from three while scoring 23 points per game. He also has averaged 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game over the past four years.

The Mavs would have to reconfigure the offense around Kemba and Luka a little bit. As much as I want to believe it will be seamless, it is much more likely that the Mavs will have to make some changes to work with two ball-dominant players on the court at the same time.