5 Free agent 3-and-D wings the Dallas Mavericks could target this offseason

This summer will be an important one for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Heading into this year, they had very high hopes. They were coming off of a Western Conference Finals birth, and despite losing Jalen Brunson, the addition of Christian Wood was intriguing.

And while things started to slip a bit, the trade for Kyrie Irving at the deadline had hopes high again, especially with how open the Western Conference looked across the board.

Obviously, there are a ton of questions the Mavericks need to answer this summer, but their defensive issues should be taking top priority, as their two stars are offensive gurus.

5 Free agent 3-and-D wing targets for the Dallas Mavericks this offseason

When the Mavericks made a run to the Western Conference Finals in 2022, their defense was one of the best in the league throughout the second half of the season.

As much as Luka Doncic’s and Jalen Brunson’s performances led the way for them, the fact that they remained stalwart on the defensive end had just as big of an effect.

This season, that didn’t happen. Their defense slipped significantly, and they finished the regular season ranked 25th in defensive efficiency with a defensive rating of 116.1.

For reference, that means teams like the Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards had better defensive units than Dallas.

So, as the Mavericks look to improve their roster over the summer, adding help on defense should be a top priority, and one of the best player archetypes to acquire is 3-and-D wings. Here are five free agents for Dallas to target.

5. Dillon Brooks

Calling Dillon Brooks a 3-and-D wing may sound like a generous title considering his offensive struggles throughout the years, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a solid target for the Dallas Mavericks to consider.

After his exit from the Memphis Grizzlies (subscription required), Brooks will be looking for a new team this summer. Adding a defensive-minded player like Brooks could be useful with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving at the helm in Dallas.

In fact, former Maverick Chandler Parsons thinks he would fit well in Dallas.

"I like him in Dallas with Kyrie Irving and Luka [Doncic]. They're a team that needs toughness - and not necessarily another distraction, but I do think Dillon will learn from this, and he'll realize that this was more negative than positive. Especially in the media and all the things that come with him. At the end of the day, Dillon Brooks is a role player, and he's a good role player. He can score the ball, he can defend, he's tough, he's fearless. And a lot of teams lack that."

His ability to get under opponents’ skin and take on the top matchup would give head coach Jason Kidd and the Mavericks a great weapon to employ on the defensive end. That being said, it's also why he no longer has a job in Memphis.

But sometimes, a team just needs an instigator to get things going, and that’s what Brooks has built his career on. With the amount of offensive talent the Mavericks have on the roster, Brooks wouldn't even have to contribute much on that end, but he's been known to make some big-time shots.

Regardless, if he could utilize his intensity to give the Mavericks a boost on the defensive end, it would be well worth it for them to give Brooks a chance. They desperately need some help on that side of the floor, and he's equipped to give them that.

4. Joe Ingles

He may be in the twilight years of his career, but Joe Ingles is the perfect player to help the Dallas Mavericks on both ends of the court. His veteran presence would give them a huge boost on and off the court.

Ingles spent a lot of this season injured, but upon his return to the court for the Milwaukee Bucks, he made a big-time impact and helped them climb to the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference.

Throughout his career, he’s made his money by playing hard-nosed defense and nailing 3-point shots. It almost won him a Sixth Man of the Year Award in the 2020-21 season, but his teammate, Jordan Clarkson, won it as he finished second.

By the time next season begins, Ingles will be 36 years old and entering the tenth season of his career. But while he may not be able to play 30 minutes a night anymore, he could still give the Mavericks a solid presence.

His 3-point shooting was still top-notch last season. In 46 appearances with the Bucks, he shot 40.9 percent from deep on 4.3 3-point attempts per game.

Plus, Ingles has made himself known as a low-key nuisance on the defensive end. Dallas could use a player like that.

3. Troy Brown Jr.

Before this season, Troy Brown Jr.’s career looked to be heading in a downward trajectory. He was coming off a couple of rough seasons with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards and was forced to sign a league-minimum deal.

So, this past offseason, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers and fought for a spot in the rotation. By the end of the regular season, he was a semi-regular part of the rotation and put up solid numbers.

He appeared in 76 games for the Lakers, starting 46 of them and playing 24.5 minutes per contest, which was the second-highest average of his career thus far, and the highest since his sophomore season in 2019-20.

Brown Jr. averaged 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, shooting 43.0 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from 3-point land. He also attempted 3.7 threes per contest.

At 6-foot-6, he’s also a capable wing defender. He’s willing to hustle on that end of the court and plays with great energy on both sides.

Plus, at just 23 years old, Troy Brown Jr. still has plenty of room to grow, and if he gets more opportunities in Dallas, he could show why the Wizards took him 15th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.

2. Matisse Thybulle

Of all the options, this is one of the trickier ones, as Matisse Thybulle will be a restricted free agent this summer. That means the Portland Trail Blazers can match any offer he receives.

That being said, the Trail Blazers have some serious decisions to make this summer. Jerami Grant will be a free agent, as will guys like Drew Eubanks, Cam Reddish, and Justise Winslow.

Depending on where Thybulle ranks among that group in terms of importance to the team, they could be willing to let him walk so they can sign other players.

It would also depend on how much the Dallas Mavericks offer him per season. According to Spotrac, they are projected to have a little over $21 million in cap space this summer, so they could theoretically make a fairly competitive offer, but it would mean letting Kyrie Irving walk.

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Thybulle’s defense has never been questioned. He’s made two All-Defensive teams thus far in his career. It is his 3-point shooting that has been rough, but he made progress during his time in Portland.

In 22 games and 22 starts with the Trail Blazers, Thybulle shot 38.8 percent from deep on 3.9 attempts per game.

His defense should be enough for the Mavericks to want to make a run at him, as that’s where they need the most help, but if he’s shooting above 35 percent from deep, it would be a huge bonus.

1. Torrey Craig

At first glance, Torrey Craig may not be the flashiest name on this list. Other options are former lottery picks, experienced veterans, and loud-mouthed nuisances.

But as far as 3-and-D wings go, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone better than Craig, especially for the price he has historically been paid. His most recent contract was a two-year, $10 million deal, and that’s the most he’s ever made per year throughout his career. Plus, at 32 years old, he’s a great veteran to bring onto the team with plenty of playoff experience.

Over the last few seasons, Craig has bounced around, but this past year, he found himself back with the Phoenix Suns, and he made a big splash for them in the first round of the playoffs.

During their series against the LA Clippers, he played a massive role. In the first three games of the series, he put up 22 points, 17 points, and 15 points, respectively.

With the ability to play the three and the four, Craig would give Jason Kidd and the Mavericks some great versatility on the defensive end, allowing them to mix and match lineups at will.

This past season, he shot a career-high 39.5 percent from 3-point range on 3.2 attempts per game. If he could bring that, along with his defensive mindset, to the Dallas Mavericks, it would be a match made in heaven.