5 players Mavericks should have signed in free agency

1. Jalen McDaniels

Jalen McDaniels may not be a household name that would have brought tons of excitement through signing him, but Dallas showing absolutely zero interest in him was disappointing to say the least.

McDaniels ended up signing a two-year, $9.3 million deal with the Raptors. That contract is extremely team-friendly, and he would have played a huge role on the Mavs.

Last season for the Hornets and 76ers, McDaniels averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He would have been the perfect Swiss army knife type of wing for the Mavs, and they would have gotten him for a low price.

McDaniels is 6-foot-9 and has a 7-foot wingspan. This is excellent size for the small forward position, and he can switch effortlessly on defense. McDaniels flies around the court and would be the perfect fit into Dallas' defensive scheme.

Offensively, McDaniels is always running in transitioner and is a good finisher at the rim. He is also always moving without the ball, making him a great fit next to Luka Doncic.

McDaniels is also just scratching the surface in the NBA. He is only 25 years old and he still has plenty of time to dvelop. Dallas would have leaned on him heavily, and signing him should have been a no-brainer.

The Mavs ended up signing a good defensive wing in Derrick Jones Jr., but McDaniels' youth and size make him a much more attractive option.