Mavericks just watched their perfect summer target destroy them

The Dallas Mavericks will have access to the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception this summer, which will likely be around $15 million. After Monday night's loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center, it's clear the Mavericks should target Ayo Dosunmu with this exception. Dosunmu is a versatile 3-and-D guard who has improved to be one of the best shooters in the league this season, as he's shot 44.5 percent from outside.

At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Dosunmu has an extremely similar build to guards like Derrick White or Jrue Holiday, and while he may not quite be the same level of defender as those guys, he's still a very feisty defender who has great length at the guard/wing position. What's been most unprecedented in his age-26 season, though, is the improvement he's made in his offensive game, as he's become a serviceable playmaker over the past few seasons, and is a great driver against closeouts.

Dosunmu's performance in Dallas on Monday night gave Dallas' upper brass all the reasons in the world to target him if they haven't already thought about it, though, as he notched his second career triple-double by scoring 18 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing 12 assists. He also did this on an efficient 8-13 from the field, while adding three steals, proving he's the type of all-around guard who values winning, and someone who Dallas could desperately use.

Ayo Dosunmu proved he would fit perfectly in Dallas

Max Christie has been solid at the two spot for Dallas, but Dosunmu would likely eclipse Christie in the starting lineup if he were to come over this offseason. Dosunmu is a more versatile defender compared to Christie, an even better shooter, a more dynamic playmaker, and someone who can really push the pace in transition and the open court.

He's the type of defender who could compensate for Kyrie Irving's lack of size defensively next season, as he's a player who's totally bought in on winning and would fit even better next to Irving than Christie does. He's just entering his prime at this point, and the Mavericks undoubtedly could use a shooter of his caliber in their lineup.

Why landing Dosunmu won't be easy

While Dosunmu is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, prying him away from Minnesota won't be easy, considering how well he's fit there since being traded from the Chicago Bulls, as well as the fact that Minnesota will retain his bird rights. However, if Minnesota were to balk at paying Dosunmu what he rightfully deserves, Dallas could have a prime opportunity to swoop in and get him with the MLE.

Dosunmu started on Monday night versus the Mavericks, but he's normally been the Timberwolves' sixth or seventh man in the lineup, so perhaps the promise of a bigger role could be an enticing factor to potentially lure him to Dallas, as well as the fact that Texas has no state income taxes.

If Dallas can't land Dosunmu, there are still intriguing options on the market to target with the full MLE, such as former Maverick Quintin Grimes, but Dosunmu's catch-and-shoot ability and defensive prowess make him an uncanny candidate for Dallas to target this summer. We'll have to see how Dosunmu finishes the season in Minnesota first, but he had the ultimate dress rehearsal on Monday versus the Mavericks, and should undoubtedly be on Dallas' summer watch-list now.