12 Free agents Dallas Mavericks must pursue after Klay Thompson signing
By Orel Dizon
7. Saddiq Bey
If the Dallas Mavericks can land a wing player who has tremendous upside on offense and defense, their offseason would turn out even better than it already has. The team has the opportunity to nab a player who meets the criteria in the coming days.
Saddiq Bey was thought to have been a lock to remain with the Atlanta Hawks before the organization decided not to tender him a qualifying offer this summer. Consequently, Bey is an unrestricted free agent and had reportedly gathered the interest of the Mavs two years ago.
Today, he could have checked all the boxes regarding what Dallas wants in a swingman off the bench. The Villanova University product can get buckets, as he has never averaged less than 11.6 points per game in a season. On the other end of the floor, he has proven to be a solid positional defender and has the bulk to keep up with some power forwards.
Perhaps the obstacle to the Mavs bringing in Bey is their financial limitations. Bey could command a salary higher than the midlevel exception Dallas can offer him, although it's also possible that front offices will be wary of him coming off a torn ACL, which ended his 2023-24 campaign early.
The incoming fifth-year player might also opt to stay in Atlanta, so the team can retain his bird rights and make him eligible for a bigger payday in the 2025 offseason.