Mavericks' major roster hole is growing with trade deadline looming

After their worst stretch of the season, the Dallas Mavericks are starting to find their rhythm without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Obviously, the production of both Irving and Doncic helps the entire team when they are on the floor, but now, the Mavs are starting to identify themselves without them as they are both out due to injuries.

Until the Mavericks get Dante Exum back from injury, there's still a hole that needs to be filled.

Mavericks need a defensive wing to add to their depth

The biggest hole on the team isn't the injuries, it's adding a defensive wing to stop opposing guards and forwards while becoming one of the best defensive stoppers on the team. Although Exum plays point guard on offense, his versatility to guard one through three is huge, and Dallas has missed his defense this season.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN recently broke down every team in the NBA's "roster hole," and his hole for Dallas (subscription required) was a "defensive wing." While Quentin Grimes and Naji Marshall have been solid on defense in their first year, they need someone with some more size. Without a defensive wing specialist on the team now, it leaves a hole that the Mavericks need to fill, simply because they don't have it right now.

A defensive wing would be a great asset to give Dallas one more player with size who can guard the opposing team's best player when needed, and these types of versatile defenders thrive in Jason Kidd's system.

The Mavs have tried in the past to get a guy like Matisse Thybulle as he signed an offer sheet with Dallas a few summers ago, but it never worked out. Signing someone who's known as one of the best perimeter defenders and makes life difficult for his opponent could've been a great asset for the Mavericks, and now they'll have to search the trade market for a player with this archetype.

Someone who could be on the move this trade season is Bruce Brown. Even though he's listed at 6-foot-4, Brown is a highly skilled defender who could be the perfect wing to bring defensive depth to Dallas. He can guard in multiple positions and would be a season-changing addition to the Mavs roster.

This would be a great move for Brown personally being aside Doncic to get plenty of opportunities to get his 3-point shooting back to a consistent form.

Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans is someone who would add great size and defense, but following his latest injury, it could take down his stock some, and that may work out for Dallas if they happen to have an eye on him.

Klay Thompson was once known as an underrated defender with Golden State, and while he has been solid on defense this season with Dallas, they still need to find one more defender to support the current roster they have.

Marshall is working well on both sides of the ball as a wing with good size and length. Adding someone like Brown would cover the wing depth and he'd pair great with Marshall, as well as adding another lockdown defender.

If the Mavericks want to equal out their offensive and defensive play, they'll have to use the trade deadline to fill that growing hole in the roster by adding another defensive wing.