Dallas Mavericks stabbed in heart after top free agent guard signs with Lakers

After the Dallas Mavericks' crazy trade deadline on Thursday, the Mavs' focus immediately shifted.

They started the day by trading for Daniel Gafford of the Washington Wizards and ended the day by trading for P.J. Washington of the Charlotte Hornets, and as a result of that, a roster spot was opened.

Dallas traded Richaun Holmes, Seth Curry, and Grant Williams on trade deadline day, and they have the opportunity to sign someone off the buyout market.

Dallas Mavericks stabbed in heart after top free agent guard signs with Lakers

Dallas' main priority seemed to be signing former Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, and some even expected Dinwiddie to join Dallas, but he plans to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers were the other frontrunner to land Dinwiddie and were the betting favorites right away.

Dinwiddie would have been a great pickup for Dallas as he has already spent parts of two seasons on the Mavs. He was a big part of Dallas' 2022 Western Conference Finals run. He was a secondary creator alongside Luka Doncic, and his ability to play on and off the ball was phenomenal.

Dinwiddie was huge for Dallas over those two seasons, and now the Mavs must shift their focus. Dallas still got much better at the trade deadline, but signing Dinwiddie would have been the cherry on top.

They still need another point guard off the bench due to Dante Exum missing so much time as of late, and there are a few on the market that could intrigue Dallas. The Mavs could consider someone like Kyle Lowry or Killian Hayes, or they could consider signing another big body on the wing.

Someone like Marcus Morris would be a good fit in Dallas, but that would cause a surplus of power forwards off the bench.

For all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks and their buyout market pursuits, stay tuned.