Mavericks just gifted Luka Doncic and Lakers a free agent target they need badly

Over the first few days of free agency, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers have been two of the quieter teams in the NBA when it comes to roster moves. While the Mavericks have been praised for the D'Angelo Russell signing, the Lakers have been obliterated by fans and the media for their lack of moves and letting Dorian Finney-Smith walk and join the Houston Rockets. Finney-Smith was a great friend of Luka Doncic's, and thanks to the Mavs signing Russell, the Lakers now have a golden free agent target right in front of them that Doncic would likely love to welcome to Tinseltown.

After signing Russell, the Mavericks' roster is now full, meaning that free agent guard Dante Exum is free game for any team around the league that needs a new point guard. While Dallas has an interest in bringing Exum back, as things stand now, they have no roster space to do so, and the Lakers could swoop in and sign him to give Doncic some help in the backcourt.

The Lakers don't have any other trusted ball handlers in their backcourt to pair with Doncic outside of Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent, and while signing Exum would be a small move for Los Angeles, it would give them the stability they need to inch toward being one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Everyone around them has gotten better, and they can't afford to sit back and watch if they want to give Doncic and LeBron James a shot at winning a title together.

Mavericks may be in danger of losing Exum to Lakers after Russell signing

On top of the obvious fit, the Lakers have been interested in Exum this offseason, and if he doesn't want to wait around for the Mavericks to create a roster spot for him by trading Olivier-Maxence Prosper or a similar move, he could look to join the Lakers and reunite with Doncic.

As teammates in Dallas, Doncic saw Exum's magic firsthand multiple times, as one of Exum's most iconic moments as a Maverick was while sharing the floor with Doncic in a chaotic game at the American Airlines Center. Exum drilled a game-tying three against the Houston Rockets on April 7, 2024, and the Mavs ultimately ended up winning that game in overtime.

Exum also drilled a dagger three against the Lakers on December 12, 2023, while on the court with Doncic, and helped the Mavs earn a 127-125 win. He finished that game with 26 points and seven 3-pointers.

If Exum decides to leave the Mavericks and join the Lakers in free agency, it would give Los Angeles a player who has proven that he is a good fit next to Doncic, and his versatility should intrigue them.

Exum can play either guard spot effectively, and his connectivity, strong 3-point shooting, ball handling, strong defense, and improved finishing at the rim would make him a plug-and-play player within JJ Redick's rotation. At this point, Lakers fans need any excitement they can get after losing Finney-Smith and replacing him with Jake LaRavia, and while fans may not be super familiar with Exum's game right away, they would quickly learn why he has been so beloved in Dallas.

Exum is all about winning and the team, and Mavericks fans would be crushed if he were to leave for the Lakers. Seeing him share the floor with Doncic once again would remind fans of what could've been in Dallas, but fear not, all signs are pointing to the Mavericks doing whatever they can to bring him back.

As aforementioned, the Mavs are looking to trade Prosper to create a roster spot for Exum, and it looks like there is a good shot he returns next season.

But if the Mavericks can't find a way to create a roster spot to sign Exum, expect the Lakers to be in the hunt. They need more guard depth, and with them showing Exum earlier this offseason and Doncic being familiar with his game, he could be a prime target for them before we know it.