10 Defensive anchor free agents the Dallas Mavericks should target this offseason

2. Josh Okogie

This may not be the most well-known name on the list, but Josh Okogie is one of the more underrated defenders in the NBA. His ability to stay in front of opposing players on the perimeter is unique to only a few players throughout the league.

One YouTube search of “Josh Okogie defensive highlights” will generate a plethora of highlights, all of which show Okogie disrupting ball handlers, getting in passing lanes, and hustling to stay in front of his man. Some of Okogie’s best defensive highlights came against Kyrie Irving, so the star point guard likely has some level of respect for the young wing.

Okogie spent this past season with the Phoenix Suns and revived his career a bit. He faded out with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his scoring and defensive presence earned him a regular spot in the Suns’ rotation.

Because of that, Phoenix could look to keep Okogie around, but he’ll be an unrestricted free agent, meaning he’ll have complete freedom to choose which team he joins next.

Adding the 6'3 Okogie to the rotation would be a great fit, and he could even potentially start for the Mavericks. A lineup of Irving, Okogie, Luka Doncic, Josh Green, and Maxi Kleber would be small, but it could run, and it would have some solid defenders at each position.

Slotting in Josh Okogie at the guard spot would allow him to take on the toughest matchup every night. Plus, at just 24 years old, the young guard still has plenty of room to grow.