The Mavericks hope that the 2023-24 NBA campaign is the season where they return to prominence. They've worked hard to improve their chances of achieving that goal this offseason, making moves to acquire notable players like Grant Williams and Richaun Holmes.
While general manager Nico Harrison has retooled the roster quite a bit, he's been quiet when it comes to free agency. As of the beginning of August, his only free-agent signings have been Seth Curry and Dante Exum, leaving fans wondering if more moves will come.
The good news for Harrison is that, if he's interested, there are several solid free agents still looking for job opportunities.
Here's a look at three remaining free agents that ened to be on the Mavericks' radar.
Mavericks Free Agency Targets
1. Ish Smith
Due to a lack of depth at the point guard position, the Mavericks should consider signing Ish Smith.
As mentioned before, they already signed Exum earlier this offseason, but there isn't a guarantee that he'll succeed. He hasn't played an NBA game in over two years and only time will tell if his Euro League performance from last year (14.3 PPG on 52.0% shooting over 38 games) translates to North American success.
Bringing in Smith works well as a contingency plan if Exum doesn't work out. Even though he didn't start in any of the 43 games he played with the Denver Nuggets last season, Smith still averaged a respectable 9.8 points and 9.0 assists per 36 minutes.
Even with Smith's best days behind him, he's still a decent playmaker who has a championship ring from the Nuggets' title run. Those are two things that should make the Mavericks consider a deal.
2. Terrence Ross
Terrence Ross is one player that the Mavericks expressed interest for in the past. The team attempted to sign him after he was bought out by the Orlando Magic in February, but the veteran shooter opted to sign with the Phoenix Suns instead.
Now that the 32-year-old is still a free agent, it only makes sense for Dallas to take another swing.
The Mavericks' wing depth is one issue that Ross would help fix. He's not exactly in his prime anymore, but he still averaged 14.1 points per 36 minutes on .430/.368/.794 shooting splits during the 2022-23 campaign.
I wouldn't expect Ross to start many games, but he's still a strong backup option to have behind Tim Hardaway Jr. Considering how the Mavs are reportedly open to moving Hardaway, too, the extra wing depth is needed even more.
Whether it's before training camp or after the new season starts, it's in the team's best interest to give Ross a chance.
3. Blake Griffin
The Mavericks made sure to address their frontcourt depth this offseason by adding names like Williams and Holmes while drafting Dereck Lively II. Those moves were necessary after finishing near the bottom of the league when it comes to most rebounding statistics.
Even if the frontcourt situation looks better, a huge improvement isn't guaranteed. Holmes needs to show that he can thrive in a new system while veterans like JaVale McGee and Dwight Powell must prove that their play isn't in danger of falling off.
That's why it makes sense to give Blake Griffin's agent a call.
Griffin isn't going to magically save the Mavericks, especially at this stage of his career, but he's still a reliable rebounding presence. The six-time NBA All-Star averaged 9.8 rebounds per 36 minutes (his most since 2011-12) and finished with five-plus boards in 16 of the 41 games he played with the Boston Celtics.
Griffin is also a well-respected presence in the locker room who could help mentor the younger players, including Lively.
At the end of the day, the Mavericks need to see that adding the 34-year-old veteran would benefit the team both on and off the court.
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