Mavericks’ ideal free agent target is emerging in plain sight

The Dallas Mavericks' expectations as a franchise have shifted vastly over the past year, as the team is still trying to balance two timelines in a way, but is clearly focused on making Cooper Flagg the centerpiece of their future. Building around any star presents its own unique challenges, like Mavericks fans saw with Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, but one player that would seemingly fit great in Dallas next to Flagg is none other than DFW native Anthony Black.

Black is set to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2027, and he's been having a career year on an Orlando Magic team that is starting to become expensive. After Paolo Banchero's extension kicks in next season, the Magic are going to be hard-pressed to not exceed the second apron in the coming seasons, and with Black blossoming into a player that could have All-Star potential all of a sudden, they may not be able to afford him if he reaches free agency with them.

Black is averaging 15.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season with 46.7/35.8/72.8 shooting splits. He's played his way into Orlando's starting lineup as of late and is an extremely versatile and wiry guard who gets it done at both ends.

Anthony Black would be a perfect fit next to Cooper Flagg in Dallas

Black's 3-point shooting has really evolved his game, considering how deep his dribble package already was for a 6-foot-7 guard, and his playmaking is continually evolving, making him the perfect player to pair next to someone like Flagg. Black is savvy in the half-court and has a great feel for the game, so he's definitely the type of player who could become a star if he continues to expand his range and works on getting stronger.

Going to both Coppell and Duncanville High School, many DFW hoop-heads are already familiar with Black, as he's one of the best prospects to come out of the Dallas area in the past decade. If Orlando can't retain him in free agency in 2027, it wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to make a reunion, especially given the potential to incur a bigger role in Dallas than he would in Orlando.

If Black continues to evolve offensively at the rate he has been, he may be skilled enough to be a full-time point guard instead of being more of a secondary ball handler like fans have seen from him in Orlando. Even though there's a world where the Mavericks are competitive next season, Kyrie Irving won't be around forever in Dallas, and Black could be the perfect candidate to eventually replace him if the Mavericks could finagle him in the summer of 2027.

Black will be extension-eligible in the summer of 2026, so we'll see soon if the Magic can make any maneuvers to avoid him from reaching restricted free agency. However, he's undoubtedly a player to watch as a Mavericks target with the Flagg era kicking off these next few seasons, as he's from the area and fits Flagg's timeline seamlessly, since he just turned 22 years old.