5 Free agents the Dallas Mavericks should sign after 2 days of free agency

The Dallas Mavericks got their top priority done quickly as they re-signed Kyrie Irving to a new three-year contract, but the front office was not done. They signed Seth Curry on a bargain deal, brought back Dwight Powell, and added former top five pick Dante Exum. The Mavs are determined to improve their roster, and they are far from done.

Dallas still has the full taxpayer mid-level exception to add a marquee free agent. They used their bi-annual exception on Curry and had Bird rights on Powell. There have been signings galore and massive amounts of money spent. The market is slowly drying up, so the Mavericks should act fast in filling out their roster.

After two wild days of free agency, who is still on the board to target? The Mavericks must add a 3-and-D wing and some size. Putting talent around Luka Doncic and Kyrie is key, but will they find the right fit for the mid-level exception?

Free agents the Dallas Mavericks should still sign after 2 days of free agency

5. Mason Plumlee

The Mavs entered the offseason searching for a new starting center. They have done plenty to address that position, but did they acquire an immediate upgrade? Dallas selected Dereck Lively II with the 12th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but the 19-year-old rookie averaged 20 minutes per game last season for Duke. He is not ready to take over as their starting center from day one.

The Mavericks also acquired Richaun Holmes in a draft night trade, but he was out of the Kings' rotation last season. Betting on him to take the lion’s share of the minutes at the five seems a bit optimistic.

Dallas re-signed Dwight Powell on July 1, but he should be their backup big man at best next season. JaVale McGee remains on the roster, despite not being in the team’s plans.

The Mavs may need another center, and they should be searching for a strong rebounder with a versatile skill set. Mason Plumlee would give them an experienced option that would certainly be an upgrade over Powell. Signing Plumlee would force Dallas to make a trade, but it could finally give them the starting center that they have searched for since Kristaps Porzingis was traded to Washington.

The Dallas Mavericks' biggest need is a 3-and-D wing, and that is likely where they will try to spend their mid-level exception.

4. Eric Gordon

The Clippers chose not to guarantee Gordon’s $21 million contract for next season, which made him an unrestricted free agent just one day before things opened up. It was a surprising move, but it saved LA over $100 million on their luxury tax bill.

Gordon averaged 12.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game split between the Rockets and Clippers. The 34-year-old guard can still get buckets and make plays along with providing leadership in the locker room.

The Mavericks finished 25th in defensive rating last season, and they cannot sign another undersized wing for the mid-level exception. The case can be made that Gordon is the best option available in a vacuum, but he does not fit what Dallas needs.

The Dallas Mavericks need more talent on their roster, but the signing of Seth Curry eliminates them from the Eric Gordon sweepstakes. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will both average 35-plus minutes per game, and head coach Jason Kidd has to find playing time for Curry, Jaden Hardy, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Reggie Bullock. There is just no room to add Eric Gordon to that mix.

The Mavs could have interest if they pull off a trade that moves pieces around, but for now, Eric Gordon’s free agency is just something for Dallas to monitor.

3. Matisse Thybulle

Thybulle is a restricted free agent and the Portland Trail Blazers have the right to match any offer he receives. Will they? Damian Lillard requested a trade on July 1, which puts the entire organization in flux. Portland drafted Scoot Henderson third overall, and he has superstar potential. Do they just blow it up completely and build around the 19-year-old point guard?

Thybulle could be a valuable piece either way, depending on his contract. The 6’5 wing is known for his elite defense, and he showed a developing 3-point shot over a small sample size with the Blazers last season after the trade. The 26-year-old should just be entering his prime, and Portland could look to keep him around.

Dallas has been interested in Thybulle since Nico Harrison took over as general manager and president of basketball operations. They have never been able to work out a deal for the lockdown defender, but he would be the perfect fit next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, especially if he has ironed out his jumper.

The Mavs could offer the full mid-level exception and hope that Portland decides against matching as they head into a rebuild. It would certainly be a gamble, but one Dallas should consider.

2. Kelly Oubre Jr.

Oubre Jr. is coming off arguably the best statistical season of his career where he averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 32.3 minutes per game. The Hornets struggled mightily as LaMelo Ball had an injury-riddled season, but most fans are surprised to see Oubre Jr. dropped 20 points every night. The 6’7 forward has always been a steady scorer and strong rebounder, and the 27-year-old is just entering his prime.

The Mavs had rumored interest in Oubre Jr. under their previous front office, but there have been no recent rumblings. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will carry the offense, but adding a versatile 6’7 wing that can score and defend multiple positions should get the Mavericks attention.

Oubre’s defensive numbers have slipped over the last two years, but was that just a product of the Hornets' struggles? He has size and the ability to switch. Oubre Jr. may be far from a lockdown option, but he would be an upgrade over Tim Hardaway Jr. for the Mavs.

The Dallas Mavericks would prefer to have more of a 3-and-D wing option, but the only true one available on the free-agent market is restricted and could prove to be out of the team’s price range.

1. Grant Williams

Williams is a restricted free agent, but the Celtics' trading for Kristaps Porzingis may have ended the 6’6 forward’s time in Boston. They have the right to match any offer, but the Celtics are right up against the new second tax apron and must work out a long-term contract for Jaylen Brown. Boston’s roster is about to get a lot more expensive, and the franchise cannot afford Grant Williams making even $12 million per season.

The 24-year-old averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 25.9 minutes per game last year where he shot 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Williams can guard every player from Joel Embiid to LeBron James to Kyle Lowry. His strength allows him to hold his own in the paint, and the Mavericks would be offering him more playing time.

The Charlotte Hornets are also rumored to be interested in Grant Williams, and the 6’6 forward has to prioritize what is most important. Is he searching for the largest deal or securing money along with a chance to compete for a championship? With Williams, the Mavs are back in contention and no team would be eager to face them in the playoffs.

Who will the Dallas Mavericks sign with their mid-level exception? Can they find a key role player to improve their roster? Stay tuned for all the latest.