Mavericks now have the ideal free agent to sign if looming trades reshape the roster

The Dallas Mavericks have until October 20 to finalize their roster. It's an important date Mavs fans will have circled on their calendar. The team has 16 players on standard contracts right now and will need to make moves by then to get their roster down to 15 players on standard deals. So, who could Dallas cut or trade? Who will be the odd man out?

For starters, there is no clear answer. However, some names that have been thrown around are Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Jaden Hardy. There have been some real rumors tied to Dallas looking to trade Prosper, and there has been plenty of speculation about Hardy. Both players make sense, though, as injuries and inconsistency have taken their toll. Yet, maybe Dallas could trade or dump Prosper and Hardy to open up two roster spots and make a move for a current free agent: Amir Coffey.

Coffey is an established player who has all the intangibles to make a name for himself. Last season, he saw the seventh-most minutes on the LA Clippers. His high-quality shooting and improved 3-pointers have NBA fans questioning why he has yet to be signed. So, it makes sense why Dallas should make a run at him.

Amir Coffey is the perfect free agent target if Mavs can make room

Last season, Coffey averaged a career-high 9.7 points per game while shooting 40.9 percent from the 3-point line. He also shot 47.1 percent overall and made 89.1 percent of his attempted free throws. Coffey had his best stretch in February, when he averaged 11.8 points per game. Against the Chicago Bulls on February 26, he had his best game, scoring 20 points and shooting 63.6 percent overall.

Defensively, he has a big frame standing at 6-foot-7. His height stands out, as he isn't afraid to use his frame to force scorers into difficult shots. However, Coffey's ability to handle the ball is his biggest strength. He averages less than one turnover a game, something the Mavs desperately need help with. So, it's possible he could be a quality wing for Dallas.

So, if the Mavs were to make a run at Coffey, they would need to make room. Dallas would need to cut two players, as their roster is stacked at 16. This is where Prosper and Hardy come in.

For starters, Prosper has struggled during his first two seasons with the Mavs. He has averaged 3.5 points per game for his career and struggled to stay on the court. Injuries have taken the best of him. Prosper has played in 92 games over the past two seasons.

It is very likely his minutes won't improve with Cooper Flagg's arrival. Now that Flagg has joined the team, Dallas' frontcourt is loaded. The team is stacked with various players like Anthony Davis, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Flagg. So, Prosper would need to fight for minutes if he hopes to make an impact.

Hardy, on the other hand, has struggled to be the player Dallas hoped for. The issue is his offensive game. Hardy is a great scorer who gets hot from various angles. It's the rest of his game that worries fans. Last season, he failed to improve his assist, rebound, and free-throw numbers. Hardy's turnover ratio also increased, showing he can be untrustworthy with the ball.

It makes sense why Dallas should try to trade both players. The Mavs could use their owed contracts to go after Coffey and still have extra money to put aside. Plus, Coffey is labeled a shooting guard. He could be the perfect complement to alleviate the pressure of players like Klay Thompson and Max Christie.

So, the Mavericks have options if they want to trim their roster down to 15 players. The team could get rid of two players who have yet to fully progress and sign a wing who can be a valuable asset off the bench. Coffey fits all the intangibles Dallas is looking for and could be a solid pickup.

If the team is serious about moving on from Prosper and Hardy, then they must start finding suitable trade partners. Hardy is set to make six million dollars next season, and it makes sense to trade a player who will struggle to find valuable minutes. Coffey is waiting for a team to scoop him up, and Dallas could be the perfect home.