3 moves that would make the Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals contenders

Sacramento Kings v Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings v Phoenix Suns / Christian Petersen/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Dallas Mavericks, Hamidou Diallo
Detroit Pistons v Boston Celtics / Brian Fluharty/GettyImages

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.