10 Free agents who should be on the Dallas Mavericks' summer wish list

The Dallas Mavericks are having a phenomenal second half to their season as they are sitting at 33--25 and eighth place in the Western Conference after Tuesday night's narrow loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Mavs have finally been able to win consistently (during the seven-game win streak), and they have looked like a completely different team since Kyrie Irving got healthy. Fans quickly forgot how great Irving can be next to Luka Doncic.

This duo is proving that they are one of the best duos in the NBA, and the Mavs are a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.

10 Free agents who should be on the Dallas Mavericks' summer wish list

While the Mavs' focus is on winning right now, here we look ahead to this summer and how they can improve the squad around Doncic and Irving. There is always room for improvement, and if the Mavs can't win the NBA Finals this year, they will surely be in contention next season.

Here are 10 players who should be on the Mavs' summer wish list for free agency.

10. Spencer Dinwiddie

Some Dallas Mavericks fans may push back against the Dallas Mavericks pursuing Spencer Dinwiddie this summer due to the comments he made about why he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers over the Mavs.

Dinwiddie later explained why he made these comments, but some Mavs fans are still sour on him.

Even though he isn't having the best start as a Laker, bringing him back to Dallas would be a great idea. He has already proved that he is a great fit next to Luka Doncic, and he can play on and off the ball.

Dallas needs a leader for their second unit, and because Kyrie Irving misses significant time due to injury every season, adding Dinwiddie wouldn't be a bad idea.

This season, he is averaging 12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. His efficiency is down, but a return to Dallas would likely be a seamless transition for both parties.

9. Dennis Smith Jr.

When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kristaps Porzingis in 2019, they had to give up second-year guard Dennis Smith Jr. as part of the deal.

Smith Jr. was coming off an excellent rookie year, but some doubted his long-term fit next to Luka Doncic in the backcourt. Dallas ended up moving him, but he is someone who would be a great fit as the leader of the bench unit.

This season for the Nets, Smith Jr. is averaging 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 27.4 percent from downtown. Smith Jr.'s 3-point shooting numbers may scare some people away, but Dallas should sign him to lead their second unit and defend.

Smith Jr. has quietly emerged as a top guard defender in the NBA, and this season in Brooklyn is proving that. He can pick up full court and his physicality is great. Smith Jr. brings the flame that Dallas needs in their second unit, and he is only 26 years old.

He fits the timeline that Dallas has been putting together over the last few months, as they seem to target players who are young and can also contribute right now. Mavs fans would likely love a Smith Jr. to Dallas reunion, and Doncic would be reunited with someone whom he was close friends with.

8. Royce O'Neale

Royce O'Neale is someone who the Dallas Mavericks reportedly showed trade interest in earlier this season, but he ended up getting traded to the Phoenix Suns.

O'Neale is someone who Mavs fans know all too well, as he was part of the Utah Jazz when they played the Mavs in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. He spent time guarding Luka Doncic, and he was going at Jalen Brunson in one of the games. O'Neale is someone who isn't afraid to play with physicality, and he would be a great fit on the Mavs.

This season, O'Neale is averaging 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 37 percent from downtown. O'Neale is someone who could take Tim Hardaway Jr.'s minutes if Dallas trades him as they were expected to do last summer, allowing Jaden Hardy to gain more of a role.

O'Neale could take the toughest defensive assignment on the floor while being a consistent 3-point shooter off the catch. Dallas doesn't need to add a third star. They need to add more elite role players, and O'Neale could be that and more for the Mavs.

Mavs fans could get to see plenty of O'Neale down the stretch as the Mavs and Suns could meet in the playoffs, and this could be the perfect dress rehearsal for Nico Harrisson to pursue him this summer.

7. Patrick Beverley

The Dallas Mavericks' biggest hole on their roster right now is the backup point guard spot.

Jaden Hardy hasn't played much over the last few games, and it seems that he could be on his way out of the rotation. Tim Hardaway Jr. still remains someone who plays heavy minutes on a nightly basis, but he can't defend or create and is in a bad shooting slump.

Although Dante Exum has been great for Dallas this season, his unreliability due to injuries is a massive concern. Dallas needs to bring in someone who can create and defend, and Patrick Beverley may be the perfect fit.

This season, Beverley is averaging 6.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.5 steals per game. He isn't the every-night starter that he once was, but he could nobly lead Dallas' bench unit.

Beverley is a willing passer, a decent defender, and a solid 3-point shooter. He plays with physicality and energy, oftentimes leaving no air space between him and his defensive assignment. He is best known for being a pest on defense and talking trash, and he has plenty of playoff experience.

The Mavs could likely sign Beverley to a minimum contract, and this is a move that Luka Doncic would likely like. Beverley has spoken highly of Doncic in the past, and he will do whatever it takes to win.

6. Jae Crowder

Other than Rajon Rondo being a complete failure during his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, the second-worst part of this trade was the Mavs losing Jae Crowder.

Crowder was a Maverick for the first few seasons of his career and quickly became a fan favorite for his defense, energy, and 3-point shooting. It hurt to see Crowder go, and the Mavs have needed a player with his physicality and tenacity ever since.

Crowder has bounced around the league since leaving Dallas, and this summer may be the perfect time for the Mavs to sign him. This season for the Bucks, Crowder is averaging 6.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 34.7 percent from downtown.

He is an excellent 3-and-D wing and can play either forward spot. The Mavs need more interchangeable forwards with size, and that's exactly what Crowder would be for the Mavs. He wouldn't need to do too much on offense and would be a great spot-up 3-point shooter for Luka Doncic to find.

Other than Crowder's defense and shooting, his playoff experience is another thing that the Mavs would covet. He has played in 111 playoff games over his career, and the Mavs adding some more veteran experience that can play consistent minutes to go with their young talent is important this summer.

The Mavs have been linked to him in the past, and it wouldn't be a shocker if they pursue him this summer.

5. Derrick Jones Jr.

Derrick Jones Jr. signed a one-year veteran's minimum contract with the Dallas Mavericks and he quickly outplayed that contract.

This season for Dallas, Jones Jr. is averaging 9.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game this season while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from downtown. Jones Jr. started the year off hot from three, as he was shooting 37.7 percent from downtown over the month of November, but his shooting numbers have come back down to earth.

He is still getting the open looks that he was getting at the beginning of the year, but he hasn't been able to cash them in as efficiently. Every shooter goes through slumps, and Jones Jr. getting back on track as a shooter could be crucial for the Mavs. Without his shooting, Jones Jr. is a good slasher and scorer in transition, but he has struggled in those departments lately as well.

The Mavericks should look to re-sign Jones Jr. to add continuity to their roster and for his defense. Jones Jr. can guard multiple positions and has great length, making him an indispensable piece for the playoffs. He is also still young, and it would be ideal for the Mavs to keep him around and keep him as a key piece for their bench unit.

4. Caleb Martin

The Dallas Mavericks don't have the cap space to go pursue a third star this summer unless they do so via a sign and trade, so the best way for the Mavs to improve their roster around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving is by adding elite role players.

This seems to be the formula for success when trying to build around their star duo, and by the looks of things, the Mavs will have the taxpayer's MLE at their expense this summer. The Mavs must use this wisely, as they will be limited to just minimum contracts after that, and someone they could consider pursuing is Miami Heat wing Caleb Martin who will become a free agent if he opts out of his player option.

This season for the Heat, Martin is averaging 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from downtown. Martin gained his fame during last year's playoffs as he averaged 12.7 points per game while shooting over 40 percent from downtown.

Martin would give the Mavs a wing who hustles, defends, and stretches the floor, and he'd be a great fit in the starting lineup or off the bench. He makes winning plays, and having another all-around wing on this roster would be beneficial moving forward.

3. Cam Reddish

3-and-D wings are one of the most important assets to have during the NBA Playoffs, and you can never have too many of them during the final stretch of the season. You need players who can guard elite offensive wings and knock down open jumpers. Shooting is an essential skill for the playoffs, and oftentimes the end-game lineups don't include a center.

These lineups include versatile forwards to fill out their frontcourt, and the Mavs could look to sign someone like Cam Reddish. This season for the Los Angeles Lakers, Reddish is averaging 6.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from downtown. He was having a solid season before getting injured and has started in 26 games this season.

Reddish can attack the basket, score off the dribble, and knock down open shots. Having your shooters be able to attack closeouts is important, and Reddish would be a good fit on the Dallas bench.

He is also only 24 years old and has a player option this summer. If he decides to test the open market, the Mavs may be a good fit for him.

Reddish already learned how to play with LeBron James, and playing with Luka Doncic may not be too big of an adjustment for him.

2. Cameron Payne

The Dallas Mavericks still need a backup point guard.

This has been a glaring hole since the offseason, and rather than signing a true, reliable backup point guard, Dallas signed Seth Curry. The Mavs ended up trading Curry to the Charlotte Hornets at the trade deadline, ending his third stint with Dallas. This signing didn't make sense when it happened, as the Mavs already had Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jaden Hardy, and Curry ended up having an ineffective short tenure with the Mavs.

The Mavs did sign Dante Exum over the offseason, but his health has been a major issue. He's been great when healthy, but the Mavs need someone who can play big minutes, lead the second unit, and defend some. This was supposed to be Exum's job, but it may be time to look elsewhere.

One player they can consider is Cameron Payne of the Philadelphia 76ers.

This season, Payne is averaging 6.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.5 steals per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from downtown. He has been a great backup point guard in the league for some time now and can facilitate and defend.

He wouldn't be the best fit to play minutes with both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving since he is undersized, but he would be able to hold his own with the second unit.

1. Kyle Lowry

Another veteran point guard joins this list, and the Dallas Mavericks will have enough money to sign him if they want to add a secondary creator for their bench unit.

This season, Kyle Lowry is averaging 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from downtown. Lowry is quietly having a great season for both the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers, and he would be a good fit in Dallas.

Lowry could lead the second unit, defend, create, and knock down open jumpers. He isn't playing at the All-Star level that fans are used to seeing, but he would still be a good veteran presence for this Mavs team. Having veterans in the locker room is important, especially for the playoffs, and that is exactly what Lowry would be for Dallas.

He has played in 130 playoff games throughout his career and has started in 95 playoff games. The Mavs seem to be a squad that will be making the playoffs consistently for years to come, and adding Lowry could help get the Mavs ready for the most important time of the season.

There is still plenty of basketball left to be played this season, and the Mavs have a few holes that they can look to fill once the offseason hits.

For all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.