5 roster upgrades the Dallas Mavericks must make this offseason

4. 3rd Creator

The Mavs made their run to the final four in 2022 with two ball handlers on the floor at all times. They started with just Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson before trading for Spencer Dinwiddie at the deadline. Dallas always had multiple initiators and creators on the floor, which left the defense guessing.

Doncic and Kyrie Irving are both superstars. Fans have seen that the offense no longer skips a beat when number 77 needs a rest, but adding a capable third guard still matters. First, it gives Dallas some cover when Luka and Kyrie need to miss time. Think about how key Dinwiddie was when Doncic missed the first three games of their first-round playoff series in 2022 with a calf injury. The Mavs need that piece.

They do not need a superstar or even a starter from another team. Dallas needs someone that can come in and play a quality 20 minutes as a backup point guard, who thrives in an expanded role when needed. Reggie Jackson and Dennis Schroder headline the list of free agents for this spot, but the Mavs could acquire one via trade.

Fans should expect this to be the missing piece going into the 2023-2024 season. Just like last summer, Dallas failed to add a third option when Jalen Brunson departed. The Mavericks will ride with Luka and Kyrie and regret it whenever one of them misses time.