Top 5 players the Dallas Mavericks should sign after two weeks of free agency

Free agency started almost two weeks ago, and the Dallas Mavericks haven't been extremely active on the open market.

They re-signed Kyrie Irving and Dwight Powell, signed Seth Curry and Dante Exum, and acquired Grant Williams through a sign-and-trade. These moves are strong, and all help the Mavs in different ways, but they still have work to do in order to build an NBA Finals-contending team.

They have their core in Luka Doncic and Irving, but they need some more depth on the wing and a starting center. Center has been a glaring hole on the Mavericks' roster, and they must find a way to address that need this offseason.

5 players the Dallas Mavericks should sign after two weeks of free agency

They re-signed Dwight Powell to a three-year deal, and he gives them depth at center, but he shouldn't be their starter. They also acquired Richaun Holmes in a draft night trade with the Kings, but he shouldn't be a starter either.

If the Mavericks want a new starting center, they'd likely have to trade for one. They could ship Tim Hardaway Jr. and JaVale McGee along with a second-round pick somewhere to try to upgrade at big.

One position that Dallas can upgrade through free agency though is wing. They tried signing Matisse Thybulle to an offer sheet, but the Trailblazers matched the deal. Dallas may not be able to get a player as good as Thhybullee, but they have to try. They still have the mid-level exception to use and have to add someone that will give them consistent minutes and addresses one of their needs.

Here are five players that the Mavericks should sign.

5. Ayo Dosunmu

Ayo Dosunmu is one of the best free agents available, and the Mavs should take a chance on him.

Dosunmu averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.8 steals per game last season for the Bulls. He also shot 49.3 percent from the field and started in 51 games.

Dosunmu may not be the big wing that Dallas is looking for, but he has the defensive ability and wingspan to play wing if needed. He is 6-foot-5, has a 6-foot-8 wingspan, is only 23 years old, and would give Dallas some depth off the bench.

Defensively, Dosunmu would fit what Dallas wants to do. He can guard one through three, is active in passing lanes, and has a good motor. Dosunmu is also an underrated shot blocker, as he has the wingspan to disrupt smaller guard's shots. He also has had some highlight reel-worthy blocks during his time in Chicago.

On offense, Dosunmu can act as the point guard or play off the ball. He has a good handle for his size and is shifty. Dosunmu is also a smart passer and makes the right play in transition. He is the type of player that Dallas would love as he can play either guard spot and even some minutes at wing.

Mavericks fans would love his hustle and energy, but Dallas doesn't need another guard. If the Mavs make a move soon that ships off Hardaway Jr., then this could be a move they can consider, but their guard room is crowded.

He would be a great fit, but there has to be enough minutes for everyone. Dosunmu is a solid player and should only be brought in if some moves happen that send some of Dallas' guards elsewhere.

4. Hamidou Diallo

It's obvious that the Mavericks still need defensive help.

Even after signing Grant Williams, Dallas still needs to add wing defenders that can come off the bench and guard multiple positions. They tried to do that by signing Matisse Thybulle, but as you probably know, Portland matched the offer sheet.

A great Thybulle alternative that is also two years younger is Hamidou Diallo.

Diallo played for the Pistons last season and averaged 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game in just 17.8 minutes per game. He was a solid bench piece for the Pistons and would be the perfect fit in Dallas.

Diallo is 6-foot-5 and has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. He would be able to be the first wing off the bench for Dallas next season and play serious minutes if needed.

Diallo is a lockdown perimeter defender and could help the Mavs hide some of their guards that can't defend as well, such as Seth Curry and Jaden Hardy. He has active hands and flies through passing lanes. Diallo is also a freak athlete and makes crazy plays.

Offensively, Diallo is a good off-ball cutter and finisher in transition. He throws down crazy dunks often and would give the Mavericks more youth and athleticism.

Signing Diallo is also a good option for the Mavs if they decide to trade Josh Green this offseason. He isn't as good with the ball in his hands as Green is, but he is arguably a better defender. Losing Green wouldn't be easy, but a player like Diallo could help fill that hole in the roster.

3. P.J. Washington

Regardless of the rumors saying that the Dallas Mavericks haven't pursued P.J. Washington, they absolutely should.

Washington is the best available free agent by a landslide, and the Mavericks should make a move for him sooner rather than later. He is a restricted free agent, meaning that if he signed an offer sheet elsewhere, Charlotte would likely match. But that doesn't mean Dallas can't get involved.

If Washington signs his qualifying offer, he would become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and the Hornets could lose him for nothing. If they think this will happen, they could look to ship him off with a sign and trade. Obviously Washington would have to agree to terms with the team, but Dallas could be an attractive destination for him.

He grew up in DFW and would likely get the chance to play in the playoffs for the first time in his career if he came to Dallas. The Mavs could throw a package of Tim Hardaway Jr. and a second-round pick to the Hornets for Washington. They could even form a different deal that includes Maxi Kleber if they wanted to. This would be a big sacrifice since it is just a sign and trade, but the Mavs should be aggressive and grab this young, win-now piece.

He typically plays power forward, just like newly-signed Grant Williams, but the Mavericks could find a way to make this work. Washington is too talented to pass up on and would give the Mavs another two-way player in their frontcourt.

2. Kelly Oubre Jr.

Kelly Oubre Jr. just had the best season of his career and no one is talking about him.

That's why the Mavericks should buy low and consider bringing in the 6-foot-6 wing.

Last season, Oubre Jr. averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game for the Charlotte Hornets. He is also just 27 years old, and the Mavericks would benefit from having a scoring wing like Oubre Jr. come off the bench.

Oubre Jr. can light up the scoreboard quickly and would give the Mavs a dynamic scoring group off the bench if paired with Jaden Hardy. He moves well without the ball and shoots a bunch of threes (just like the Mavs). Oubre Jr. is also a fantastic athlete and has a sneaky handle. Once he gets to the lane, he tries to dunk over everyone and finish through contact.

Oubre Jr. could also likely be acquired for a team-friendly contract, and the Mavs should take a chance on him. Yes, the Mavericks need more defense on the wing, but having Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Josh Green, Grant Williams, and Dante Exum on the roster will help.

Dallas shouldn't pass on this easy opportunity to sign Oubre Jr. and bring in another flamethrower for their bench unit. He wouldn't have to play heavy minutes, and Dallas would be a good spot for him to prove that he can thrive on a good team.

1. Justice Winslow

Justice Winslow would be a last-case scenario for the Mavs, but his defense should make them consider him.

Winslow played for the Trailblazers last season and averaged 6.8 points, five rebounds, 3.4 assists, and one steal per game. He only played 29 games due to an ankle injury but had a solid season. The season before, he started the season with the Clippers and was later traded to the Blazers.

The 2021-22 season was a good bounceback season for him once he got to Portland, and last season wasn't bad. Winslow would be a solid piece for the Mavs off the bench and provide them with defensive versatility.

Winslow struggles offensively, but that's something that the Mavs could cover up. They have dynamic scorers off the bench, and Winslow could be a defensive stopper. He can guard two through four effectively and has the strength to battle in the post. Winslow is a competitor and would be a good fit off Dallas' bench.

Offensively, Winslow is a good slasher and cutter. He is also an underrated passer and can handle the ball well for his size. Winslow is not a good three-point shooter and has shot 31.5 percent from three for his career, but Dallas would only need him to defend and let everyone else do the work offensively.

Picking up Winslow wouldn't be a move that excites fans much, but picking up another defensive-minded wing is important.