Ranking every available free agent Mavericks have been linked to so far

After one month of free agency, the Dallas Mavericks have added wing depth through the sign-and-trade for Grant Williams, guard depth through signing Seth Curry and Dante Exum, and fulfilled their biggest priority of the summer, which is re-signing Kyrie Irving.

Dallas had to re-sign Irving, as they gave up serious draft compensation and two rotation players in Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith when they traded for him back in February. Dallas signed Irving to a three-year, $126 million deal with a player option after the second year.

The Mavericks also re-signed Dwight Powell to add some depth to their center room. Dallas has been in some trade rumors for a starting center, but if they're not able to land one, they'll roll with the center platoon strategy they've used for the last few years.

Ranking every available free agent Mavericks have been linked to so far

It looks like Dallas is almost complete building their roster, and they still have one available roster spot.

It seems like they're targeting a wing, and Dallas would benefit from having another wing defender. They tried to sign Matisse Thybulle, but Portland matched Dallas' offer sheet. He would have been a great fit in Dallas, as he is one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, but Dallas is going to have to address their wing depth elsewhere.

Most of the high-level free agents have already signed with new teams, but there is still a handful of players that Dallas has reported interest in that they can sign. Dallas can still land a player that will make a day-one impact, and there have been plenty of rumors going around regarding who Dallas wants.

Here I rank the remaining free agents that the Dallas Mavericks have been linked to after one month of free agency.

5. Rudy Gay

Coming in at No. 5 on this list is Rudy Gay. He is "expected to draw interest" from Dallas, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Gay is 36 years old and nearing the end of his career, but he could still have some gas in the tank that he could bring to the Dallas Mavericks. He has career averages of 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Gay had some great years in Memphis and Sacramento but has a limited role at this point of his career.

Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Gay can play either forward spot and is a solid floor spacer who can do some scoring off the dribble when needed. Although limited, Gay still has an ability to attack closeouts and score with a mid-range jumper, or get all the way to the basket.

His in-between game is smooth, and is an underrated part of his game.

Gay is a capable defender, but he isn't going to be someone you lean on with tough defensive assignments. He can guard multiple positions and is an underrated shot blocker, but don't expect him to have a bunch of multi-steal games and guard the other team's best player.

He has good size and strength to battle in the post some, and is also a smart off-ball defender.

Overall, Gay would be a decent veteran to add to this squad but don't expect Dallas to sign him.

4. Terence Davis

Another player that Dallas has shown interest in is former Sacramento King, Terence Davis.

Last season for the Kings, Davis averaged 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.7 steals per game in just 13.1 minutes per game. Davis is a better player than Rudy Gay at this point, but do the Dallas Mavericks need another shooting guard?

The answer to that question right now is no, but if they move Tim Hardaway Jr. or pursue a starting center via trade, the back half of the roster could end up looking a whole lot different than the way it does now.

Davis is a gifted offensive player, and he can score in a variety of ways. Although known as a three-point shooter, Davis is also good with the ball in his hands and can create his own shot when needed.

He can be the primary ball handler in the pick and roll when needed and has a smooth pull-up jumper. Davis is also a decent slasher and throws down an occasional big-time flush.

Davis is a solid defender and brings hustle and energy. He comes off with off-ball steals often and turns them into a dunk on the other end.

Davis would be a good fit in Dallas if they didn't already have so many guards as he is a decent defender and good scorer, but the Mavericks already have enough guards that can score.

3. Derrick Jones Jr.

The 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Content Champion has reported interest from the Mavs, and he would be a great fit in Dallas.

Jones Jr. averaged 5.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.5 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game last season in the Bulls. These defensive stats are impressive for just 14.0 minutes per game, and he would be the best fit of anyone on this list.

Jones Jr. is a phenomenal athlete and is a good finisher in transition. He catches and finishes lobs with ease, runs in transition, and is a great on-ball defender. Jones Jr. is also a decent three-point shooter off the catch (33.8 percent from three last season) but shouldn't be relied upon as a shooter.

He would be a great fit off the bench for Dallas, as they need a strong defender to join that unit.

Jones Jr. is 6-foot-5, but he has a 7-foot wingspan. Not many players his size can block shots like he can, and he is a unique defender on the wing. He can guard two through four effectively and has great hands.

Jones Jr. doesn't give up anything easily, and he would be an outstanding addition for Dallas. The Mavs need a wing with his defensive skills and energy.

2. Jaylen Nowell

The Dallas Mavericks' most recent free agent interest was in shooting guard Jaylen Nowell.

Nowell is one of the best remaining free agents on the market but the same question comes up for him that we asked about Terence Davis.

Does Dallas really need another offensive-minded guard?

The answer to that question is still no.

Nowell is an extremely talented scorer and makes some magical plays when the ball is in his hands, but the Mavs don't need another score-first guard. Last season for the Timberwolves, Nowell averaged 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.6 steals per game.

He is undeniably a great player to bring off the bench to be a spark plug and light up the scoreboard, but the Mavericks already have a fully capable second-year player who fills that role in Jaden Hardy. Signing Nowell could deter Hardy's development and cut his minutes down tremendously.

Nowell is also not the best defender, and the Mavs can't afford to have another guard that can't defend. They already have two offensive-minded guards off the bench in Hardy and Seth Curry, and they still haven't traded Tim Hardaway Jr.

Could Jaylen Nowell be a contributor for a contender?

Yes.

Do I think it will or should be the Dallas Mavericks with the way their roster is currently constructed?

No.

If they made some moves and lost some of their guards I could see them pursuing Nowell. But it doesn't make sense for them to sign him right now, regardless of how good of a player he is.

Editor's note: NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that he heard the Mavericks were not interested in Nowell in his latest episode of "Saturday Stein Line with Marc Stein." Everything is rumors at this point, but wanted to note this.

1. Kelly Oubre Jr.

The best player that the Mavericks have shown reported interest in is Kelly Oubre Jr.

Last season for the Hornets, Oubre Jr. averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Even though he scored 20+ points per game for the first time in his career, his season is often labeled as "empty stats" because he was on a bad Hornets team.

It is easier to put up great stats like this on a bad team, but Oubre Jr. is still a great scorer that could contribute on a playoff team. He obviously wouldn't put up the same numbers that he did in Charlotte, but his offensive talent is undeniable.

Although he is inefficient, he is a flamethrower on offense. He knocked down 2.3 three-pointers per game last season and is never afraid to let it fly.

When he isn't chucking threes, Oubre Jr. is getting to the rack and finishing with authority. He throws down ferocious dunks often and isn't afraid to try to dunk over a defender.

It would be interesting to see how he performs for a playoff team in a smaller role, but I'm not convinced that is going to be Dallas. He doesn't move the needle defensively much for this team, and just like many of the other players previously listed, he is an offensive-minded player, and Dallas has enough of those.

We'll have you covered with all thee latest news and rumors surrounding the Mavs this summer, so stay tuned.