5 Dream, 5 reach, 5 realistic free agents for Mavericks to target after draft

10. Realistic - Dennis Smith Jr.

When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks back in the 2018-19 season, a fan-favorite player departed way too early. The Mavs had to send second-year guard Dennis Smith Jr. to New York as part of this deal, and no one ever got to experience the potential that he and Luka Doncic could have had together as a duo.

Doncic and Smith Jr. were close friends, and after bouncing around the league for the last couple of years, it's time for Smith Jr. to return to the Mavs. Smith Jr. has turned into one of the best and most underrated guard defenders in the NBA over the last couple of seasons, and the Mavs should consider signing him to be their point guard off the bench.

Last season for the Nets, Smith Jr. averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from downtown. Smith Jr. isn't the type of player who is going to light it up from downtown, but his growing playmaking and defense are extremely intriguing.

Smith Jr. has the potential to be an elite defender off the bench for the Mavs, and he would have a significant role if Dallas took a chance on him and signed him. They could also likely do it for a good price.