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

9. Dillon Brooks

This idea has already grown some legs, and the NBA offseason hasn’t even begun yet.

When the Memphis Grizzlies’ season ended in a first-round exit at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dillon Brooks was the center of attention. He talked trash all series, and it ended in embarrassment.

In turn, reports surfaced that the Grizzlies have no intentions of bringing Brooks back (subscription required) into the fold, and he will not be back in Memphis next season “under any circumstances".

However, Memphis’ (ugly) loss could end up being the Dallas Mavericks’ gain. They don’t need Brooks to be anything other than what he is, a defensive menace and an absolute nuisance.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have enough offensive talent to carry the Mavericks on that end, meaning they would just need Brooks to bring the energy on defense.

And while his off-court antics may be funny when they fail, there’s no denying his intensity. With how bad the Mavericks were on defense last season, they could use some of that grit.

Brooks would act as a tone-setter on defense for Dallas, taking on the hardest defensive matchup and wreaking havoc all over the court. Maybe that’s exactly what the Mavericks need to turn things around defensively.