5 Former Mavericks the team should consider bringing back this offseason

3. Dennis Smith Jr.

Another fan favorite that Dallas should consider bringing back in free agency is Dennis Smith Jr.

Smith Jr. had a bounce-back campaign for the Charlotte Hornets last season and averaged 8.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals. He would be the perfect ball handler to bring off the bench in Dallas and already has proven success playing in the Mavs' system.

Dallas drafted Smith Jr. with the ninth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He was a high-flyer and averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.0 steal per game in his rookie season. The fanbase loved him, and it seemed like he was going to be the point guard of the future in Dallas.

The next year was Luka Doncic's rookie year and things were never the same. The Mavs didn't believe in the duo, and DSJ traded him to the Knicks at the trade deadline in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. Smith Jr. was one of Doncic's first friends in Dallas and the two never got to experience their full on-court potential together.

It was a rough departure for Smith Jr., but there is a new front office and coaching staff that could believe in his fit coming off the bench.

Dennis Smith Jr. is an excellent on-ball defender and his playstyle would fit great in Dallas. He doesn't need the ball in his hands all the time and facilitates and defends at a high level. Bringing him back to Dallas to replace Frank Ntilikina would be a no-brainer, and the Dallas Mavericks should heavily consider it.