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

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.