Mavericks' next hidden gem is hiding in their backyard

The Dallas Mavericks are known for turning two-way players into high-level role players, and the next player who could join this list just finished his first season for the Texas Legends. Matt Cross is quietly someone who has the heart, grit, hustle, and versatility to be a bruiser off the Mavericks' bench one day, and fans should keep his name in their head as the offseason progresses.

Matt Cross deserves a shot in Dallas

He averaged 6.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.8 steals per game in the G League while shooting 50 percent from the field and over 41 percent from downtown. Cross did most of his damage off the bench (started 25 percent of the time), and his rookie campaign revealed that the Mavericks should give him a chance this summer.

This all starts with them signing him to their Summer League squad.

He played for Dallas during the Summer League last year, and it only makes sense to bring him back once again. Their team is poised to be stacked, given that they have two first-round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft and multiple solid players entering their second and third seasons, and Cross would give them some depth inside.

At 6-foot-7, 230 pounds, Cross has a similar build to that of P.J. Washington. He's at his best at power forward, and the Legends made defenses pay by utilizing him in the pick-and-pop and allowing him to leave his mark on the game with his strength.

Dallas needed shooting badly this season, shooting just 34.4 percent from three on 31.9 attempts per game, and they have to get back on track here. They have to put more shooting around Cooper Flagg, and if they sign Cross to a two-way contract, he would give them another reliable frontcourt floor-spacer.

Cross brings what the Mavericks miss

Cross was one of the most reliable catch-and-shoot shooters on the Legends, but his offensive impact stretched beyond that. He is a strong connector and smart passer as well, and he finishes well around the bucket — especially when he can use his strength to overpower smaller defenders down low.

Defensively, he competes as well, and his competitiveness and drive are what should have the Mavericks thinking about signing him. He's always the hardest worker on the floor, and his No. 1 goal always remains winning. This matches up with the culture that Dallas is trying to put around Flagg,

Cross often secures rebounds that seem unreachable, and he does all of the little things that help his team win. His physicality is felt every time he steps onto the floor, and if he continues to improve, he could secure a role for an NBA team as a Swiss army knife-type of player who rebounds, plays with heart, and knocks down open threes.

His energy and effort is never questioned, and with those being two of Jason Kidd's favorite words, he could find himself on a contract in Dallas.

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