3 Rumored free agent targets for Mavericks' final roster spot revealed

The Dallas Mavericks are down to one final roster spot to solidify their roster heading into next season, and it doesn't seem like they are in any rush to fill it.

Dallas is looking to upgrade their guard depth off the bench, and this is definitely an issue that hurt them in the NBA Playoffs, and more specifically, in the NBA Finals. Dante Exum was reliable for the Mavs all season long, but once the playoffs hit, he was unplayable.

Dallas must avoid this from happening going into next season, and signing a guard who they can trust in the playoffs should be a priority.

3 Rumored free agent targets for Mavericks' final roster spot revealed

Even though it's the final roster spot and whoever they sign may not play a ton, this move could end up impacting the team way more than anyone realizes.

If they make the right move here, Dallas could be favorites to reach the Finals once again. If not, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could have added pressure on them due to no one being a reliable third ball handler.

Dallas has plenty of time to make this decision, and there have been a couple of players who have been rumored targets for the Mavs to fill this spot with. NBA insider Marc Stein revealed these three targets (subscription required) in his latest substack, and although they aren't limited to these three players, they each seem like they'd be good fits.

3. Talen Horton-Tucker

The Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in signing Talen Horton-Tucker, and he is one of the more intriguing fits on this list. Last season for the Utah Jazz, Horton-Tucker averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 33.0 percent from downtown.

Although inefficient, Horton-Tucker had a good season for Utah and is only 23 years old. If the Mavs signed him, they'd be finally filling this hole at backup guard while also getting younger.

Getting younger has been a priority for Nico Harrison and company over the last couple of years, and this is helping them get better right now, but also for the future.

If Dallas were to sign Horton-Tucker, they'd be gaining a crafty combo guard who has an underrated handle and sneaky athleticism. He doesn't use his athleticism all the time, but when he does, fans' jaws drop as he can dunk on someone at any moment.

Horton-Tucker is also never afraid to let it fly, and his confidence in himself is top-notch.

Horton-Tucker is the youngest player on this list, and it'll be interesting to see how much interest Dallas shows in him as next season quickly approaches.

2. Dennis Smith Jr.

Every Dallas Mavericks fan has been begging for Dennis Smith Jr. to return ever since he was traded to the New York Knicks in his second season as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade, and this year may be the perfect time for him to return to the 214.

Dallas and Smith Jr. hold mutual interest in a reunion, and he may be the missing piece for Dallas to return to the NBA Finals in 2025. He plays outstanding defense, can handle the ball, and has amazing athleticism.

Last season for the Brooklyn Nets, Smith Jr. averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from downtown. As shown by the numbers, Smithh Jr. isn't a great shooter, but he makes his impact felt in many other ways.

Smith Jr. has turned into one of the best guard defenders in the NBA over the last couple of years, and he would be a great fit to come off Dallas' bench. He also had a good relationship with Luka Doncic while they were teammates, and a return would likely excite Doncic.

While Smith Jr. isn't as great of a scorer as the previously mentioned Talen Horton-Tucker, he would give the Mavs an elite point-of-attack defender who can be a third ball handler off the bench and bring energy.

1. Spencer Dinwiddie

Every Dallas Mavericks fan remembers the time back in February when the team decided to pursue Spencer Dinwiddie on the buyout market. Dallas had made a plethora of moves at the trade deadline that resulted in them holding an extra roster spot, and they tried to land Dinwiddie to fill it.

Dinwiddie ended up signing with the Los Angeles Lakers over the Mavs, and although some Mavs fans are still angry about his decision to do this, they may need to get over it quickly as Dinwiddie is the frontrunner to land this final roster spot.

Last season for the Brooklyn Nets and Lakers, Dinwiddie averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. He remains a reliable guard who can start or come off the bench, and he already has a level of familiarity with the Mavs.

He was on the team when they made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2022, and his ability to play alongside Luka Doncic was excellent. He was used to lead the second unit and also share the floor with Doncic, and the Mavs would benefit from having his steadiness at that spot once again.

Dinwiddie would likely be a lock to still be a valuable piece once the playoffs hit due to his ability to consistently score and handle the ball, and while the other two previously mentioned players are great options, the same can't be said about them.

Any three of these guards would help the Mavs, and only time will tell which direction they go.

For all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks all offseason long, stay tuned as we'll have you covered.