5 Former Mavericks the team should consider bringing back this offseason

The Dallas Mavericks have to make massive moves this offseason to return to the playoffs after one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory. Dallas traded for Kyrie Irving in February and rather than improving in the standings, they plummeted to the 10th-worst record in the NBA.

They need to make the necessary changes to get better. These changes include letting players walk and bringing in new ones in free agency. The Mavs can't run it back with the same squad and expect to make a deep playoff push as they did in 2022.

Something needs to change.

Former Dallas Mavericks the team should consider bringing back this offseason

One thing that must change is their wing depth. It's paper-thin and arguably the weakest position on the roster. They have to add wings that can defend and space the floor.

Another thing that needs to change is their starting center. Dwight Powell can't be him to start next season, and they have to bring someone in that can protect the rim and rebound at a high level. Powell did neither of those things, and Dallas suffered for it.

General manager Nico Harrison and the front office will look to revamp the roster, and there's a good chance that most of Dallas' seven pending free agents find new homes this summer.

Here's a look at five former Dallas Mavericks that the franchise could look into bringing back. Each player fills a hole in their current roster and could make a massive impact.

5. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes played in Dallas for two and a half seasons from 2016 to 2019 and started every game that he played here. Dallas could look into bringing him back as the 6'8 forward fills their hole at wing and would be the perfect player to play alongside Luka Doncic and potentially Kyrie Irving in the starting lineup.

Doncic knows Barnes' game and it would likely be an easy transition for Barnes to come back to Dallas.

Barnes averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game last season for Sacramento and was an integral part of their success as he started all 82 games. Although the Kings will likely want to bring him back, the Mavs should look into a reunion.

Barnes would bring defense, 3-point shooting, and scoring to the Mavericks on the wing. He can also create his shot when he needs to and is a great teammate. We've already seen that he fits Dallas' culture, and he seems to have enjoyed his time here.

Harrison Barnes would be a player that can guard the star wings in the league while being a reliable scoring option on offense. He is an intriguing player and fans should keep an eye on the possibility of him returning to Dallas in free agency.

4. Seth Curry

One fan-favorite free agent that Dallas could consider bringing back is Seth Curry.

The 6'2 guard averaged 9.2 points while shooting 40.5 percent from downtown last season, and he would be an excellent fit if Dallas decides to bring him back.

Curry had two stints with the Mavericks. During his first run in the 2016-2017 season, he averaged 12.8 points and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 42.5 percent from three. In his second stint, three years later, he averaged 12.4 points per game and shot 45.2 percent from three.

Curry is another player that has already played with Luka Doncic and would be a day-one rotation player. He fits exactly what Dallas does on offense and would be another shooter on the floor for Doncic to find.

Dallas should make this move if they add versatile defenders to play alongside him. They can't make this move and expect Curry to defend at a high level. He would fit best as a shooter and spark plug off the bench.

Seth Curry isn't the best defender, and Dallas needs a lockdown defender starting next to Luka Doncic to cover for his struggles on that end of the floor. Curry could be looking for a payday this summer, and if Dallas believes enough in him they could give it to him.

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.

2. Jae Crowder

Jae Crowder had a mysterious 2022-2023 season and will likely look to leave Milwaukee this summer.

The Bucks gave up five second-round picks to acquire Crowder from the Suns, but his role was always in question. His minutes fluctuated tremendously, and he was a non-factor during the playoffs. This is the last thing that Crowder wants as he knows he can be a contributor on a playoff team and is good enough to play consistent minutes.

The Dallas Mavericks could give him consistent minutes and would bring him in with open arms.

The Mavs are without a defensive stopper on the wing and need to add depth at that position. He can guard multiple positions and plays with a firey passion that Dallas needs.

Crowder would be a dream offseason addition for the Mavericks as they could likely bring him in on a team-friendly contract,, and he helps fix their problems. The 6'6 could play 40 minutes in a playoff game for the Mavs and guard the other team's best player.

Crowder would immediately be a top perimeter defender on the team as soon as he signs and was a fan favorite during his time in Dallas. He averaged 6.9 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting from three in Milwaukee. This was the best statistical 3-point shooting season of his career, and Dallas should be one of the teams to keep an eye on him as free agency approaches.

1. Dorian Finney-Smith

One of the hardest goodbyes in Mavericks' history was trading Dorian Finney-Smith at the deadline.

The Mavericks sent Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and multiple future draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Kyrie Irving. Doe-Doe was a fan favorite in Dallas and one of Luka Doncic's best friends. His departure was felt by the players and fans alike, and Dallas should look into bringing him back this summer.

Although he's the only player on this list that isn't a free agent, he is likely still obtainable if offered the right trade package.

Finney-Smith's minutes per game dropped from 32.2 to 27.6 once he left the Mavs, and his 3-point shooting percentage plummeted from 41.6 percent to 35.1 percent. He didn't fit as well as he did in Dallas and had other wings on the roster that were better than him such as Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges.

Finney-Smith didn't have the luxury of being the best wing on the team like he did in Dallas.

The Mavericks should look into bringing him back because he spent his career proving that he is a great fit in Dallas and defends at a high level. The Mavs desperately need a wing defender, and Finney-Smith would be an easy fix.

Fans would be ecstatic if Dorian Finney-Smith returns to Dallas, and the front office should consider bringing him back if Brooklyn is looking to trade him.