4 Bargain free agents to sign if Dallas Mavericks trade for LeBron James

The Dallas Mavericks might be considering an absolutely insane move. After completely botching the Jalen Brunson situation last offseason and seeing him walk for nothing to the New York Knicks, they doubled down on questionable decisions by trading real assets for Kyrie Irving.

There's no going back from that, and they need to push to re-sign Irving or see their talent level get dangerously low as Luka Doncic gets ever closer to the end of his second contract. The Irving experience is never a dull one, however, and now it's reported that Irving is recruiting LeBron James to try and force a trade to the Mavericks.

Such a trade, if it's even in the realm of possibility, would likely take all of the assets the Mavericks have left. It would completely scoop away their depth, leaving them with three stars and little else around them. To build out the rotation, the Mavs would need to go bargain shopping on the free agent market.

Bargain free agents the Dallas Mavericks can sign if they trade for LeBron James: 4. Drew Eubanks, Portland Trail Blazers

Trading for LeBron James might not just mean seeing Maxi Kleber go out the door, but it probably means the Mavericks wouldn't be able to re-sign Christian Wood (not that they seem to want to), and potentially not Dwight Powell, either. That means Dallas has to find rotational depth at center, and, ideally, a starter, so they don't have to lean heavily on JaVale McGee.

Drew Eubanks is an intriguing option to pursue with that plan in mind, and it's not unreasonable to think he could be available for the veteran minimum this summer.

After starting his career with the San Antonio Spurs, Eubanks spent the last year-and-a-half in Portland, backing up and replacing Jusuf Nurkic.

He has size, strength, and surprisingly nimble feet, and he is a solid shot-blocker. Eubanks doesn't have much offensive pop, but on low volume, he has shot well from three-point range, adding another potential wrinkle to his game.

Still just 26 years old, Eubanks is worth a look as someone who can handle rotation minutes but won't cost much to acquire.

3. Damion Lee, Phoenix Suns

The 6-foot-5 Damion Lee wasn't drafted coming into the league, and after a short late-season stint with the Atlanta Hawks, it looked like he might be out of the NBA. When the Golden State Warriors signed him, it seemed like nepotism, as Lee is married to the sister of Warriors superstar Stephen Curry.

However, when he got the job, Lee took full advantage, earning his way off of a two-way contract and onto a guaranteed deal. He played a meaningful role for the Warriors as they went on to win the 2022 NBA Championship, rolling over the Dallas Mavericks in the process.

Lee left in free agency and proved he isn't just Curry's running mate, hitting 44.5 percent of his three-pointers with the Phoenix Suns this past season. He might return to the Suns, but if he is available on the open market, the Mavs should pounce.

The importance of shooting around creators like LeBron James and Luka Doncic is obvious, and there are few better shooters than Lee (seriously, did he get a Curry superpower just by marrying into the family?).

He isn't the best defender, but he plays hard and executes the game plan, and he would be an excellent addition to the Mavericks' bench.

2. Terence Davis, Sacramento Kings

There is a formula to winning at a high level with LeBron James. Pair him with another star creator (Dwyane Wade, Kyrie Irving) and then surround them all with shooting, defense, and rebounding.

Role players have forever been landing on LeBron teams and thriving by simply filling their roles and providing two of those three skills.

The Mavericks would be pushing the formula to its limit if they traded for James, trying to win with three on-ball creators, but that only makes the rest of the rotation that much more critical.

The Mavericks can't use their financial and roster bullets on non-shooting perimeter players; they need shooting and defense everywhere.

Terence Davis fits the bill and is among the best 3-and-D wings likely to be available at a low price point on the market. He is a career 36.6 percent three-point shooter and proved himself capable of hitting shots in big moments during the Sacramento Kings' playoff run this past year.

The four-year player just turned 26 years old, giving him room to improve as well. He has quick hands to generate steals and combines strength and agility to defend both guards and most wings.

He would be the ideal player to fit into a rotation alongside the likes of Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and, in turn, they would see his impact maximized.

1. Kevin Love, Miami Heat

If LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are going to reunite in Dallas, it's only fitting that Kevin Love join them too. That trio went to three consecutive NBA Finals on the Cleveland Cavaliers, including pulling off the legendary 3-1 comeback in 2016 to bring Cleveland its first and only championship in franchise history.

Is there a place for Love to rejoin his former co-stars in Dallas? Almost certainly. Especially if they can stay under the second tax apron and offer him the full Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception. Love has proven that he still has plenty left in the tank throughout his current run to the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat.

Love is not just a stretch big. He is one of the best big-man shooters in the league. He gets up a high volume of shots and has to be defended out at the three-point line. Playing just 18.2 minutes per game in the playoffs this season, Love is getting up 4.4 three-point attempts per game and hitting 36.5 percent of them.

The Mavericks would likely bring Love off the bench, but his ability to space the court would work well alongside LeBron James in bench lineups. Add in his elite rebounding and incredible outlet passes, and Love could play a role on a contender, as he is doing this season.

The Mavericks should absolutely give him a call if they bring in LeBron to make a run at a title next season.