Dallas Mavericks: 5 free agents that could improve their roster

Free agent to upgrade Dallas Mavericks roster: 1. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

It’s absurd that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson isn’t on an NBA team, and the Dallas Mavericks should fix that atrocity. Still only 26 years old, it seemed like just as RHJ was finding his niche in the league, the rug was pulled out from under him.

RHJ started to show off his talents as a small-ball big towards the end of his Nets run and for the Raptors. After Toronto let him walk, he signed a training camp deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves but was waived shortly after.

Hollis-Jefferson would immediately walk into the locker room as one of the best defenders on the Mavs roster. He’s got the prototypical size for a wing. At 6’7 and 210 pounds with a seven-foot wingspan, RHJ can matchup against any perimeter player in the league. He’s also showcased the ability to guard up and could spot as an extremely small five if needed.

Not only is he a great defender, RHJ is also one of the best hustle players in the league. Dallas needs someone willing to dive for loose balls, sacrifice his body, and do the dirty work. Inserting someone with his work ethic would give the Mavs the energy jolt they severely need in this slump.

The main knock on the former first-round pick is his lack of perimeter shooting. While the Mavs certainly haven’t looked the part, they are chock-full of shooters. If Dallas were to sign Hollis-Jefferson, he would almost always be the only non-shooter on the floor.

While they won’t be counting on him to knock down 3-pointers, RHJ can still contribute to the Dallas offense. In his short career, most of his buckets have come from hustle plays, transition, and being in the right spot at the right time. In his short stint as a small-ball big, RHJ found a lot of success as the roll-man for Brooklyn and Toronto.

Here’s an action Toronto ran last year with RHJ operating from the high post. With Siakam drifting to the corner, Minnesota’s shot-blocking is neutralized. Karl Anthony-Towns is out of the paint to prevent Hollis-Jefferson from driving and to cut off the ensuing pick-and-roll. RHJ then initiates a handoff into a screen for Fred VanVleet. The screen pins down D’Angelo Russell, forcing KAT to switch onto FVV. This frees the lane for RHJ to dive to the hole for an easy two

Dallas could run many similar sets with RHJ manning the middle, KP stretching the opponent’s shot blocker, and Luka handling the rock.

Between Hollis-Jefferson’s defensive gifts and the offensive talent on the Dallas Mavericks roster, it should be a match made in heaven. Here’s hoping that this pipe dream can become a reality.