3 Intriguing players the Mavericks should sign to their open roster spot

The Dallas Mavericks finalized their 15-man roster ahead of the regular season by waiving Dwight Powell yesterday, but they quietly still have another roster spot to fill that not many fans are talking about.

Dallas waived John Poulakidas over the weekend, meaning that the team has an open two-way roster spot right before the season begins. Two-way contracts allow players to be active for up to 50 games, with many of these players splitting time between the NBA and the G League.

Dallas always seems to find good value in two-way contracts

They are great contracts to give players who are relatively unproven or need more development, but as the Mavs have shown over the last few seasons, these deals can uncover some hidden gems as well. Ryan Nembhard, Moussa Cisse, and Brandon Williams have all been on two-way deals over the last few years, and since signing these deals, they have all at least signed one standard contract.

The Mavericks do a great job of developing their two-way players, and they have several options for their next two-way project ahead of the regular season.

3. Seth Lundy

Seth Lundy played for the Mavericks during the preseason, and if Dallas wants to replace Poulakidas' shooting with more shooting, he would be a good option.

Lundy played in all four of Dallas' preseason games, with his best game coming against the New Orleans Pelicans last Wednesday. He finished with 13 points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block, and the best parts of his game were his finishing around the basket, defense, and floor spacing. Lundy knocked down just one of his four 3-point attempts, but the potential as a shooter is there.

If Dallas were to sign him, they'd gain a player with a 3-and-D skill set and a sturdy frame at 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, and he should at least be an option for them. They clearly still need more shooting after shooting 32.4 percent from three during the preseason, and he'd have a path to a real role if he could drain open shots and hold his own on defense.

2. Walter Clayton Jr.

If the Mavericks want more guard depth, Walter Clayton Jr. should be their guy.

The Memphis Grizzlies waived him yesterday, and with the team's need for more playmaking and creation, he'd help fill that hole. The Mavs don't have many true point guards behind Kyrie Irving, leaving Clayton with a chance to carve out a role if they sign him.

He averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 assists per game in 69 games as a rookie for the Utah Jazz and Grizzlies, proving he deserves another chance elsewhere.

Signing Clayton to a two-way deal after he was a first-round pick last year would be a major steal, and they'd be adding a player who is a strong playmaker and scorer. He's a good finisher in transition, has a nice floater, and has decent size for a point guard at 6-foot-4.

His success as a shooter in college (38.6 percent on 5.8 attempts per game over four years) is also a good indication that his shooting efficiency should improve in the NBA. Mavericks fans were thinking about how he would fit in Dallas before he was drafted last year, and adding him to the young core on a two-way deal would be a home run by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz.

1. Koby Brea

The Phoenix Suns waived Koby Brea ahead of his second season on Monday, and Ujiri and Schmitz should take a low-risk swing on this high-level shooter.

Brea shot 46.5 percent from three on 6.0 attempts per game over his final two years in college, and he followed this up by shooting 43.3 percent in limited action for the Suns last season. His jumper is smooth, and despite not having the quickest release, his shot remains consistent even when defenders are right in his face.

At 6-foot-5, Brea has ideal size for a shooting guard, and the spacing that he provides is undeniable. Teams can't afford to leave him open, and his deep range makes him a threat from anywhere beyond the arc.

Outside of his shooting, Brea is a good connector and smart passer. He makes good passes to big men when they're cutting to the rim, and also throws decent lob passes. Since the Mavs' roster is filled with rim-rolling bigs, this is an important skill to have.

Brea is easily the most proven shooter in this mix, and if Dallas wants to bring in a player who has a long history of being a knockdown shooter, he should be near the top of the Mavericks' wish list.

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