10 Retired Dallas Mavericks who would fit perfectly on today's team

8. Derek Harper

Perimeter defense has been one of the biggest weaknesses of the Dallas Mavericks in this campaign. A significant reason the squad ranks in the bottom 10 in allowed points per game and defensive rating is that it has struggled to contain opposing backcourt and wing players.

Of course, that can be attributed to having a starting duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, neither of whom is an all-world defender. Still, the front office has the task of surrounding them with personnel whose skills should complement the weaknesses of the other pieces.

If Derek Harper were still playing, Dallas would definitely look at bringing him in. 

After the franchise drafted him in the first round in 1983, he continued to improve year after year, becoming the first in league history to increase his scoring average every season for eight years. The outspoken floor general had his best individual campaign in 1990-91, where he recorded 19.7 points per contest. 

But the area where he would help the team most today is defense, especially since it's just 28th in the Association in average steals. Known for his tenacity on that end of the court and ability to disrupt opposing offenses, Harp could share the court with either Doncic or Irving and still probably find ways to be effective.

The Mavs have four jerseys on the rafters, and Harper's No. 12 is among them. It's certainly a deserved recognition for the franchise leader in steals and assists.