8 Centers upgrades Dallas Mavericks could target this offseason

The Dallas Mavericks must improve their roster after a disappointing season. Nobody expect the franchise to miss the playoffs just one year after reaching the conference finals, but it happened thanks to a late-season collapse that saw them win just seven of their final 25 games.

Re-signing Kyrie Irving is the team's top priority this summer. The eight-time All-Star is an unrestricted free agent, and everyone is wondering if he has already played his final game with the Mavs. Getting Irving back is not enough, though. Dallas must also upgrade their roster, including adding a new starting center.

The Mavs grabbed the fewest rebounds last season and they could not protect the rim. Dallas tried to sign a new starting center last summer, but it did not work out. They must improve at the five this offseason or their doomsday scenario could be on the horizon.

Center upgrade the Dallas Mavericks could target this offseason: 8. Kevin Love

Love will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after being bought out by the Cavaliers to sign with the Heat in February. The five-time All-Star is no longer in his prime, but fans have seen the impact that he can make during the postseason.

Love is still an elite rebounder that can space the floor and initiate some offense. He won a title with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, and the 6’8 big man has played in three NBA Finals.

If the Dallas Mavericks are looking for a stretch five that gives them the freedom to go small, Kevin Love could be the answer. He is not a rim protector, but the 34-year-old would help solve their rebounding woes along with being comfortable playing 20 to 25 minutes per game.

Expect Kevin Love to join a contender in free agency, but will he reunite with Kyrie Irving on the Dallas Mavericks? K-Love supported the eight-time All-Star getting his jersey retired in Cleveland, and Love’s free agency is one to watch this summer.

7. Mason Plumlee

Plumlee is set to become a free agent this summer, and the LA Clippers are facing the new second tax apron. Owner Steve Balmer is never afraid to spend his money, but LA has to trim payroll at some point to avoid all the restrictions in the new mechanism. That could mean the 6’11 big man is looking for a new home this summer.

Plumlee has primarily been a starting center in his career, and he averaged 10.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 26.0 minutes per game split between Charlotte and LA last season. The former Duke Blue Devil was traded for a second-round pick at the deadline, and he is likely looking for the full taxpayer mid-level exception from a team in free agency.

Plumlee is not a rim protector at this point in his career, so Dallas would have to sign him for his rebounding and pick-and-roll abilities. The 33-year-old veteran helped the Denver Nuggets reach the conference finals in 2020 before they lost to the eventual champion Lakers, and he would bring valuable experience to Dallas.

Finding a Mason Plumlee is not easy, and the Dallas Mavericks could look to swoop in and sign him this summer. Expect him to have several suitors, including the LA Clippers in free agency.

6. Naz Reid

Reid has a massive opportunity this summer as he heads into free agency. The 6’9 big man was stuck behind Karl-Anthony Towns for the first three years of his NBA career. Then, the Timberwolves traded for Rudy Gobert, which put him behind two All-Star centers. Reid has never played more than 19.2 minutes per game, but he has been productive.

Last season, the 23-year-old averaged 11.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 18.4 minutes per game while shooting 53.7 percent from the field and 34.6 percent on his 3-point attempts. His 2.6 fouls each night were slightly troubling, especially when thinking about him playing more minutes.

Reid is an unrestricted free agent that is free to sign with any team. Does someone pay him to be their starting center? Fans have seen him have some monster games when he has been thrust into the starting lineup, but can he do it consistently?

The Dallas Mavericks are looking to upgrade at the five, and Naz Reid may be available on the cheap. Jake Fischer reported that the 6’9 big man is looking for $10 million annually in his new contract, which would be a steal for a starting center. Reid has to prove that he can increase his production as his minutes rise, but what better way to do that than as Luka Doncic’s pick-and-roll partner?

5. Rudy Gobert

Could the Timberwolves trade Gobert just one year after paying a massive price for him? Minnesota gave up four first-round picks, Jarred Vanderbilt, Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Walker Kessler, Leandro Bolmaro, and one pick swap to acquire the three-time All-Star from the Jazz. It was Tim Connelly’s first splashy move after coming over from Denver, and it has turned into a disaster (subscription required).

Gobert still averaged 13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 30.7 minutes per game, but the fit next to Karl-Anthony Towns was not perfect. The two had to adjust to playing off each other and injuries prevented Minnesota from seeing a significant sample of the duo together.

The Timberwolves should be building around Anthony Edwards, so are Towns and Gobert the best fit for their 21-year-old star? They aren’t, but the problem lies with how Minnesota fixes that. They cannot trade Gobert because no team is willing to give them anywhere close to what they gave up to get him, and dealing Towns does not make sense after he played just 29 games this season.

Minnesota will likely run it back next season, but Connelly should explore the market for both Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns this summer. Dallas does not have the assets to trade for KAT, but Gobert could firmly be within its price range.

4. Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers are at a bit of crossroads after being bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Knicks. Mitchell Robinson dominated the glass in that series, and it left Cleveland questioning what is the best way to build their roster moving forward.

The Cavaliers need help on the wing, especially with their undersized backcourt. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are both fantastic offensive weapons, but Cleveland needs to build out their defense behind them. Could that mean putting an All-Star big man on the trade block in hopes of getting back pieces that help them take the next step?

Allen has three years and $60 million left on his contract, but trading him allows the Cavaliers to go smaller and embrace Evan Mobley at the five. They may not want to do that throughout the regular season, but that move could pay massive dividends in the playoffs when every team trends smaller.

Jarrett Allen averaged 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 32.6 minutes per game last season. He would be the Dallas Mavericks' best center since Tyson Chandler and the team would love to add someone of his caliber to their roster. The price will likely be high, but the Mavs are going to have to pay to get a difference-maker.

3. Brook Lopez

Could Lopez leave Milwaukee this summer? The Bucks just fired their head coach and are likely to make more changes after a disappointing first-round playoff exit. Having arguably the best player in the NBA raises the team’s expectations, and crashing out in five games after having the best record in the league simply does not cut it.

Lopez was fantastic this season as he averaged 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game. The seven-footer can stretch the floor and make his free throws along with protecting the rim. Lopez just turned 35 years old, and he will be looking for one final massive contract.

Are the Bucks willing to pay him? Lopez finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and he figures to make his second All-Defensive team. The Dallas Mavericks need a defensive-minded center. Lopez’s ability to space the floor, protect the rim, and make the defense pay whenever he gets left open would be a fantastic addition.

Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez are both free agents this summer, and Milwaukee will likely be up against the second tax apron if they pay both players. Is the front office willing to do it? Could the 35-year-old big man be the odd man out? The Mavs would love to add the seven-footer if he truly becomes available.

2. Myles Turner

Dallas native Myles Turner is always involved in trade rumors. It feels like the Pacers have been looking to move him since he entered the league in 2015, but could they finally do it this summer?

Turner signed an extension that added two years and $40.9 million onto his current deal. He is set to make $20.9 million next season, and the 6’11 big man can become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

Head coach Rick Carlisle loves him, and Turner just had the best year of his career. The 27-year-old averaged 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 29.4 minutes per game while shooting 54.8 percent from the field, 37.3 percent on his 3-point attempts, and 78.3 percent from the free throw line.

Do the Pacers try to sell high on Myles Turner? The Dallas Mavericks have been interested before, and they will be again if he becomes available. They would love to get a big man that can stretch the floor to play off Luka Doncic, which allows him to be a roll and a pop threat. Turner is also an elite rim protector that would instantly improve the team’s porous defense.

Expect Mavs general manager Nico Harrison to be among the first calls if the Pacers make Myles Turner available.

1. Deandre Ayton

The Mavs are rumored to be interested in Ayton if the Suns make him available this summer. Dallas needs a significant upgrade at the five, and the former number-one overall draft pick is certainly that. Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game this season, and he helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021.

The 24-year-old is a special talent, and he still has room to grow. Could the Mavs get him more locked in defensively and help him add a 3-point shot to his impressive mid-range arsenal?

Ayton’s rebounding and inside presence is something that the Mavericks desperately lacked this season. He could go out and get a double-double in his sleep. The 6’11 big man is represented by agent Bill Duffy, who also reps Luka Doncic. Ayton and Doncic know each other well, and Phoenix selected the big man over number 77 in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Could Deandre Ayton take his game to another level on the Dallas Mavericks? Dallas is certainly interested, but can they pry him away from the Suns with three years still left on his deal? Ayton has been rumored to be unhappy, and it is a situation to watch this offseason.

The Dallas Mavericks must upgrade at the five, but what can they get done this summer? Who will be the team’s starter when training camp begins? It is too soon to tell, but stay tuned for all the latest.