Mavericks' next no-brainer free agency move has been hiding in plain sight

Dallas Mavericks training camp is less than two months away, and fans are eager as ever for the 2025-26 season to begin. Winning the NBA Draft Lottery truly changed everything for Dallas, as all hope seemed lost after Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, but Cooper Flagg is poised to bring excitement back to the city in a flash.

All eyes will be on Flagg for his first-ever NBA training camp, but that doesn't mean that fans won't be wondering about who else the Mavs may add to their preseason roster over the next few weeks. They could decide to bring in another player on a training camp deal (an Exhibit 10 contract), and they should definitely consider signing Kai Jones before he gets picked up by a different team.

Jones was incredible for Dallas at the end of the season last year, as he averaged 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 83.6 percent from the field, and he clearly deserves to be picked up by someone this summer.

Mavs should sign Kai Jones to an Exhibit 10 contract before it's too late

Whether that will be with the Mavericks or elsewhere, remains unknown, but Jones proved he belongs in the NBA. His freak athleticism, ability as a lob catcher, motor, and defense were excellent for the Mavericks last season, and they wouldn't have been the same team down the stretch without him.

Dallas signed Jones to a two-way deal in the middle of the season, and he was everything that they needed and more. He was immediately thrown into the fire thanks to the Mavs' crazy injury luck, and he even started in six games. He became a fan favorite in Dallas due to his energy and dunks, and he was one of the few bright spots during a rough stretch after the Doncic trade.

With all of that being said, Jones deserves a standard deal in today's NBA, but if he doesn't happen to land one, the Mavericks should invite him to training camp. Jones would be a major steal on an E10, and if he happens to wow the Mavs again like he did last year, they can consider trying to move some parts around to make room for him on the 15-man roster.

Even if the Mavericks can't create a roster spot for Jones, they could even sign him to the Texas Legends so that he can stay within the organization. Him signing with the Legends would be a great move for both Dallas and Jones, as Jones could quickly prove that he deserves to be on a standard deal, and the Mavericks could use this time with the Legends to confirm that they want him around long-term.

Training camp deals can sometimes turn into much more, and with Jones remaining unsigned this late into the offseason, it may be the best move for him and his future to sign an E10 with someone over the next few months. Dallas would be a great spot for that, as he already has a level of familiarity with the players as well as some of the coaches and front office members, and if he had a good preseason, some team from around the league would likely pick him up.