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

Just two seasons ago, the Dallas Mavericks made a run to the Western Conference Finals. And while the play of Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson played a big part in that, their defense was the difference-maker.

Any team with Doncic at the helm should have success on the offensive end, but creating a winning formula on the defensive side of the ball will be the key to success in Dallas.

This past season, they failed to reach that goal, finishing as one of the worst defenses in the league. In turn, they failed to even qualify for the Play-In Tournament.

Now, heading into the offseason, they should be focused on changing that.

10 Defensive anchor free agents the Dallas Mavericks should target

The Mavericks will explore plenty of potential trade options as they look to improve the roster around Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but there are plenty of free agents that could help change the pace on defense.

This free agency class may not be chock full of superstars, but there are plenty of quality players who will be available. And the Mavericks should have some money to dole out.

According to Spotrac, the Mavericks are projected to have a little over $21 million in cap space available to them. That’s if they part ways with Christian Wood and Irving, and if they keep Irving, they would still have their mid-level exception.

Regardless, they should be looking to add players to the mix who can help set the tone on the defensive end. They don’t have to be DPOY candidates. They can even be minimum-contract players, but those players must be able to help change the culture.

With that in mind, here are ten defensive anchors the Mavericks should target in free agency this summer.

10. Draymond Green

Of all the options available to the Dallas Mavericks, this one is one of the least likely. But with the way the Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the postseason this year, anything is possible.

There has been a ton of smoke surrounding Green’s future with the Warriors all season long. And if there’s any player who could step in and change the tone for the Mavericks on defense, it would be him.

Green, a former Defensive Player of the Year, is one of the greatest defensive players in the history of basketball. His post-defense and ability to get out on the perimeter as a forward make him extremely versatile.

That being said, his most valuable asset is his brain. He has a knack for always being in the right place, and more importantly, he helps ensure that his teammates are in the right spot as well.

The future Hall-of-Famer is simply special on the defensive end and would be able to completely shift Dallas’ way of thinking. It wouldn’t solve all of the team’s problems, but he would get them closer to that point than any other single player.

Again, the likelihood of Green signing in Dallas is slim, especially if he wants a big-time payday. But he’s been linked to Luka Doncic before, so maybe he’d take a pay cut to play with the Slovenian star.

Important note: The Mavericks would likely only have enough to make this work if they let Kyrie Irving and Christian Wood walk.

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.

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.

7. Jakob Poeltl

Traded at the deadline this past year, the Toronto Raptors made an interesting move dealing for Jakob Poeltl. Now, with Nick Nurse gone and the Raptors’ future in question, he could look for a new landing spot.

The Dallas Mavericks should make it their mission to bring him into the fold.

Luka Doncic hasn’t played with a center as good as Poeltl yet in his career. Guys like Christian Wood and Kristaps Porzingis have come to town, but neither brings what Poeltl does.

He may not be as mobile as some other centers in the league, and he can’t space the floor like Wood, but his defensive presence would be extremely valuable.

Poeltl would completely shore up the paint for the Mavericks on the defensive end of the court, gobbling up a ton of rebounds in the process. He would take lots of pressure off of Dallas’ perimeter guys, too.

Best of all, Poeltl will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, meaning the Mavericks wouldn’t have to compete with anybody if they want to sign him to a deal.

Toronto may look to bring him back, but if they decide to blow things up and reset the roster, he may not rejoin the team. In that case, Dallas would have the chance to swoop in and bring him to town.

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

6. Matisse Thybulle

The one catch when it comes to Matisse Thybulle is that he will be a restricted free agent this summer. That means the Portland Trail Blazers will be able to match any offer that he receives in free agency.

But just because the Trail Blazers may match an offer sheet shouldn’t dissuade the Dallas Mavericks from targeting Thybulle, as he could be a serious difference-maker for them on the defensive end.

Ever since his years at the University of Washington, Thybulle has been one of the best defenders in the world. The 6'6 guard averaged 3.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game in his senior season.

Since joining the NBA, he’s kept up that pace, earning two All-Defensive nods in his four-year career thus far. When he was traded to the Trail Blazers at this year’s deadline, he continued to have success, averaging 1.7 steals per contest.

Having Thybulle on the wing would be a huge asset for the Mavericks, as he could constantly be guarding the opposing team’s best player. Plus, his 3-point shot even showed signs of improvement during his brief time in Portland.

It’s more than likely that Portland decides to re-sign him, meaning the Mavericks would be out of luck. But on the off-chance they decide to reset the roster or simply don’t want him back, Dallas should at least make an offer.

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

5. Grant Williams

Now, the name Grant Williams doesn’t always come to mind when you think of a defensive anchor, but the current Boston Celtic has put in a ton of work on that end of the floor.

Williams will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension with the Celtics this past offseason. While it’s likely they bring him back, the Dallas Mavericks could at least make him an offer.

At 6'6, Williams is best utilized as a power forward, but he has the strength to guard fives and the foot speed to keep up with some wings and guards.

In fact, he earned the nickname “Batman” because of how well he’s defended Nikola “The Joker” Jokic over the years. Williams has found similar success guarding guys like Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially in the postseason.

Having someone as versatile as Williams would be a huge boost for the Mavericks on the defensive end. Not only could he guard opposing forwards, but he could take on some of the aforementioned bigger challenges, too, lessening the team’s need for a wing by a small margin.

Add in his elite 3-point shooting, and if there’s any chance the Celtics are willing to let him walk, the Dallas Mavericks should inquire about his services.

Important note: The Mavericks would likely only have enough to make this work if they let Kyrie Irving and Christian Wood walk.

4. Brook Lopez

In the grand scheme of things, there’s a very small chance the Milwaukee Bucks allow Brook Lopez to slip away from them. He’s anchored their defense throughout the Giannis Antetokounmpo years and helped win them a championship in 2021.

However, with the way things ended for Milwaukee this season, big changes are in order. They already fired head coach Mike Budenholzer, so who’s to say they won’t look to switch things up in the frontcourt?

Depending on how much Lopez asks for on the open market, the Mavericks could get priced out, but it would certainly be worth it for them to check in with the big man.

After spending the first portion of his career dominating the post, Lopez completely transformed his game in Milwaukee. Now, not only is he an elite 3-point threat at the five, but he’s also one of the league’s best rim protectors.

Lopez finished top-three in Defensive Player of the Year voting this past season, and if Dallas could convince him to come to town, he could completely change the way their defense works.

Having a player who can protect the rim as well as Lopez would take some pressure off of Luka Doncic and others on the perimeter, as they would feel much more comfortable funneling ball handlers into him.

While it’s an unlikely move, it’s one the Dallas Mavericks should look into.

Important note: The Mavericks would likely only have enough to make this work if they let Kyrie Irving and Christian Wood walk.

3. Jevon Carter

Okay, hear this one out.

Jevon Carter is definitely not the first name most people would think of when they picture the term "defensive anchor", but ever since his days in college at West Virginia, Carter's top priority on the basketball court has been on that side of the ball.

At 6'1, the point guard is undersized, but that's never been an issue for the veteran. Instead, he uses his size and quickness to his advantage irritating offensive players and getting under their skins every chance he gets.

Some Milwaukee Bucks fans even wanted to see Carter make an All-Defensive team this season. While he didn't have quite a big enough role to garner that recognition, he's ready for a larger one in 2024.

Carter played more than 70 games for the first time in his career last season, appearing in 81 for the Bucks and averaging a career-high 22.3 minutes per game. In turn, he put up career-high scoring numbers, too, shooting extremely efficiently from distance at 42.1 percent.

His defensive presence should be the main reason Dallas considers bringing him on board, but it's a bonus that he's also growing as an offensive player. Carter would prove to be a great bench piece behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

So, while he's not the same caliber of player as a Draymond Green or Brook Lopez, Carter is affordable, talented, and ready to spread his wings within a rotation. And most importantly, he brings the intensity on the defensive end.

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.

1. Patrick Beverley

If the Dallas Mavericks are looking for a grizzled veteran to help them set a tone on the defensive end, they would be hard-pressed to find someone better for the job than Patrick Beverley.

He’s made a career out of being a menace on the defensive end, and that’s something the Mavericks need desperately. If there’s anyone who can help transform their defense for a reasonable price, it would be Beverley.

The veteran point guard was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers at the deadline this year before being bought out by the Orlando Magic and joining his hometown Chicago Bulls.

There’s a chance that the Bulls decide to bring him back, but considering how uncertain their future is, it’s not at all unlikely that Beverley chooses to explore his options in free agency.

Depending on where his head is at, getting the chance to play alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could be great for Beverley. He could embrace a bench role in which he delivers some much-needed energy and takes on high-profile defensive matchups.

That’s all without mentioning the things he’d bring to the table from a mental standpoint. His ability to lead on the defensive end would be a welcomed commodity for a Dallas team that needs a leader on that side of the ball.