Dallas Mavericks: 5 free agents that could improve their roster

Free agent to upgrade Dallas Mavericks roster: 4. Allonzo Trier

Allonzo Trier might have gotten the cold shoulder from NBA teams in free agency last offseason, but he was a highly coveted prospect for the G League. “Iso-Zo” was the fourth overall pick in the G League bubble draft in January.

The Mavericks may have to move quickly if they have interest in adding the young guard’s scoring talents to their squad. The G League bubble tips off February 10th, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Trier drums up professional interest by showing out in Orlando.

While adding Trier will do no favors for the Mavs’ inconsistent defense, Dallas could certainly use his scoring punch. One of Dallas’s main ailments this season has been their lack of shot creation outside of Luka Doncic. Calling Trier up from the Iowa Wolves could benefit the offense in a few different ways.

To begin with, they don’t call him “Iso-Zo” just for the rhyme scheme. Trier made a lot of noise his rookie year by being one of the few reliable scoring options for the Knicks. He did a lot of his work out of isolation.

In 2018-2019, Trier averaged a point for every isolation he received, good for 80th percentile in the league. That number put him ahead of renowned scorers such as Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, and LeBron James. Adding someone who can create for himself when the shot clock is winding down will reduce the Mavericks infamous scoring droughts this season.

As the play breaks down and the shot clock passes the halfway mark, Trier isolates against Jordan Clarkson and goes to work. Even as a smaller guard, he uses his craftiness to create a good shot and finishes smoothly with his left. The Mavericks need someone other than Luka who can create out of thin air when the offense bogs down.

Trier is also a reliable option off the ball. He averages over 38 percent from 3-point range on over two attempts per game. He’s even better off the catch. In his rookie year, Iso-Zo connected on over 43 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes.

Adding Trier would allow Coach Rick Carlisle the option of starting one of his backcourt bench tandem in Trey Burke and Jalen Brunson. Most likely, Brunson would be the man to get the bump. Having the option to place Brunson in the starting lineup would give Luka another playmaker and backcourt defender to rely on.

An added bonus for Trier’s case is his youth. If the 25-year-old can prove that his rookie year wasn’t a fluke, he could become a part of the Dallas Mavericks’ young core.

Next: No. 3