3 moves that would make the Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals contenders

The Dallas Mavericks have improved this offseason but haven't made enough moves to be Finals contenders.

They still don't have a starting center, need another defensive-minded wing, and need one more piece for the bench unit. Dallas can't expect to run the center platoon again this season and succeed. They don't have a starting caliber center on their squad, and it could end up hurting them.

Dallas also needs another wing. Trading for Grant Williams was a step in the right direction, but they need another wing with good size that can guard multiple positions.

Three moves that would make the Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals contenders

The Mavericks lack positional size, and adding a big wing would be huge for them.

Another move that Dallas needs to make is signing a versatile defender to come off the bench. Dallas' bench unit will have plenty of offense with Seth Curry and Jaden Hardy, but adding one more defender into that mix would be nice.

The Mavericks tried to land a versatile defender in Matisse Thybullee, but the Trailblazers matched the offer sheet. He would have been the best perimeter defender on the team and provided Dallas with someone that can guard the opposing team's best guard, while Williams could have taken the best frontcourt player.

Here we go through three moves that Dallas can make to return to being Finals contenders. They're not as far off as it may seem, and could be playing for the Larry O'Brien Trophy sooner rather than later.

3. Sign and trade for P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington is a name that has been thrown around Mavericks' Twitter for a few days, but nothing has happened. There aren't any rumors about the Mavericks being interested in Washington, but Dallas needs to make a move for him.

Washington averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game for the Charlotte Hornets last season. He shot a career-low 34.8 percent from downtown last season, but that could be due to increased volume.

Adding Washington to this Mavericks' team could prove to be more valuable than the Matisse Thybulle signing. Washington is much better offensively than Thybulle, and he plays great defense. He isn't a better defender than Thybulle, but not many people are.

Washington is 6-foot-7, has a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and weighs 230 pounds. Dallas lacks positional size, and having a long wing like Washington would benefit them. He would primarily be used as a power forward, but he even showed he can play some small ball center due to his length and strength.

Washington is reportedly seeking a contract in the $18 million range annually according to Marc Stein (subscription required), but the Mavericks could try to get him on a little bit of a bargain as he comes back home to DFW, where he grew up.

If Charlotte won't extend Washington, they might as well get something out of him.

**Sign-and-trade: Charlotte's P.J. Washington agrees to a four-year, $64 million contract with Dallas.

This trade lands Dallas another starting frontcourt player and gives them youth, as he is just 24 years old.

2. Split the mid-level exception between Seth Curry and another player

The Mavs agreed to terms with Seth Curry on a two-year contract just above $9 million, using their bi-annual exception. Instead of using their bi-annual exception this year, they can split the MLE between Curry and another player.

Some players that Dallas could consider splitting the MLE on include Ayo Dosunmu, Hamidou Diallo, Dario Saric, and Kelly Oubre Jr. It depends on what position the Mavericks want, but if they want a wing, they should go with Diallo.

Diallo averaged 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game. He is a lockdown perimeter defender that would give the Mavericks more versatility on the wing. Diallo is also a great cutter and a good finisher in transition.

If the Mavs decide to go with another guard, they could pursue a player like Ayo Dosunmmu. In 80 games last year, Dosunmu averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. He is a great two-way guard and would fit great in Dallas. It seems less likely that the Mavs would go with a guard here, as they already have plenty of guards coming off the bench in Jaden Hardy, Josh Green, and Curry, but Dosunmu would add a great guard defender into that mix.

Green is a good defender, but Curry and Hardy aren't the best defenders. Dosunmu would help balance that out.

They could also consider a versatile forward like Saric or a scorer like Oubre Jr. Getting Oubre Jr. may be out of the picture as they may not be affordable, but if he's still available now, there's a chance.

1. Trade for Deandre Ayton or a different starting center

The Mavs tried to trade for Deandre Ayton on draft night, but the talks fell through as Phoenix reportedly didn't like what Dallas was offering at the time. Now it's time to revisit those talks, turn these trade rumors into a reality, and get the former No. 1 overall pick.

In his first five seasons with the Suns, Ayton averaged 16.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and one block per game. He is a top-10 center in the NBA and would give Dallas the best center they've had in a long time.

Ayton can protect the rim, dominate down low, and rebound at a high level. Dallas needs all three of those things, and Ayton could be the answer. If Dallas can get him without giving up Josh Green or Jaden Hardy, they should do it.

The Mavericks now have two second-round picks from the Grant Williams sign-and-trade to work with, and they should use at least one of them in this deal.

**Sign-and-trade: Dallas' Christian Wood agrees to three-year, $27 million contract with Phoenix.

This trade package is more than the reported draft night package, but Dallas' truly isn't giving up too much in this trade. Yes, losing Maxi Kleber is a big blow in this trade, but adding Ayton would be worth it. JaVale McGee is a salary dump at this point, and sign-and-trading Wood is better than losing him for nothing.

Dallas could also form a different package that includes Tim Hardaway Jr. if he doesn't get traded elsewhere.

Dallas also has P.J. Washington in this scenario (my first listed move Dallas should make), and he would overtake Kleber's spot in the starting lineup anyways. The Mavs could also consider adding a player like Dario Saric to lessen the blow of losing Kleber. They also have Olivier-Maxence Prosper coming in as a rookie and should be able to contribute off the bench.

In my opinion, Dallas would be Finals contenders if they make these three moves. They'd finally have a starting big and have big, versatile wings. Dallas doesn't necessarily need a star big like Ayton, so they could also consider using a similar package to acquire someone different.

Potential starting lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Grant Williams, P.J. Washington, Deandre Ayton

Stay tuned to see what other moves the Mavs make and if they can turn this dream starting five into a reality.