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

8. Josh Hart

It seems unfathomable that the New York Knicks would let Josh Hart walk, but after the postseason run he just had, he’s almost definitely going to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent.

New York will likely hand him a healthy paycheck to stay in town, but that doesn’t mean the Dallas Mavericks shouldn’t get involved and try to lure him away from the Big Apple.

Hart began last season with the Portland Trail Blazers but was traded to the Knicks at the deadline. His impact was immediately felt, as the Knicks ripped off a nine-game win streak once he joined the lineup.

He followed up a great regular-season showing in New York with an amazing playoff run that saw New York upset the Cleveland Cavaliers before being eliminated in the second round.

The 28-year-old wing makes his money by utilizing his constant hustle to cause problems on the defensive end. He’s also an elite rebounder for his position.

Nabbing a player like Hart would be ideal for the Dallas Mavericks, as his energy could help transform their defensive lineup. If they could manage to pull him away from New York, it would be a massive win.

As unlikely as it may be, it’s worth a shot for Dallas.

Important note: Unless Hart accepts a mid-level, the Mavericks would likely only have enough to make this work if they let Kyrie Irving and Christian Wood walk.