5 veteran free agents the Dallas Mavericks could sign to mentor Luka Doncic

Obviously, this past season didn’t go according to plan for the Dallas Mavericks. Just one year removed from their Western Conference finals run, they failed to even qualify for the Play-In Tournament.

While Dallas went out in a blaze of tanking glory, they were trying to win for the large majority of the season, highlighted by a giant splash at the trade deadline in which they landed Kyrie Irving.

Now, the Mavericks are starting a summer of franchise-altering decisions in the face. Irving is an unrestricted free agent, they need to improve the team’s depth, and they have the 10th-overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

All that being said, at the core of everything remains Luka Doncic. He is still the star of the show and should be the main priority in Dallas. Everything revolves around Doncic.

5 veteran free agents the Dallas Mavericks could sign to mentor Luka Doncic

But Doncic is still only 24 years old. He’s only five years into his career and still has plenty of room to grow. Despite three-straight All-NBA First Team appearances, Doncic is still improving.

In order for him to reach his peak, however, he could use some help. And that doesn’t mean more stars around him. That means a veteran presence behind him that can guide him.

The Miami Heat have Udonis Haslem. The Golden State Warriors brought in Andre Iguodala. Tim Duncan had David Robinson, and he returned the favor, helping mentor the likes of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard.

As great as Doncic is, he could use some veterans around him to give him mentorship. They don’t even have to play real minutes. Their only job can be to help Doncic.

Here are five veterans the Mavericks could target to help mentor Doncic.