DALLAS — The Mavericks’ free-agency focus starts with Jalen Brunson.
Whether the 25-year-old point guard re-signs on a massive deal in Dallas or joins the New York Knicks for a starring, family-centered move, Brunson’s decision will dictate the Mavericks’ offseason needs and path forward.
Then what?
Beyond the rights to offer Brunson a five-year deal up to $175 million, the luxury-tax-strapped Mavericks can offer free agents the taxpayer midlevel exception (up to $6.339 million this season on a contract up to three years) and minimum deals.
Here are 10 names beyond Brunson’s to follow when the NBA’s unrestricted free-agent negotiating window opens at 5 p.m. CT Thursday.
Goran Dragic
— Position: Guard
— Age: 36
— Last year’s team/contract: Brooklyn Nets, $728,742 on midseason buyout market
— Potential next salary: Veteran minimum
— Why the Mavs? If only so Luka Doncic fans can finally see the fellow Slovenian, who’s known and mentored Doncic since childhood, team up in Dallas. Dragic is a free agent for the first time since Doncic entered the NBA and would add ball-handling depth and veteran savvy, whether or not Brunson returns.
Gary Harris
— Position: Shooting guard
— Age: 27
— Last year’s team/salary: Orlando Magic, $20.48 million
— Potential next contract: Taxpayer midlevel exception
— Why the Mavs? After trading for Christian Wood during the draft process, the Mavericks emphasized two-way wing depth as their next target upgrade. Harris is one of the best 3-and-D options on the open market this offseason, so expect him to command significant interest from playoff-expectant teams.
Isaiah Hartenstein
— Position: Center/power forward
— Age: 24
— Last year’s team/salary: Los Angeles Clippers, $1.7 million
— Potential next contract: Taxpayer midlevel exception
— Why the Mavs? In 2021-22, Hartenstein averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 62.6% from the floor during a season in which the Clippers converted his two-way contract to a full guarantee midway through. Hartenstein would boost the Mavericks’ presence at the rim and play-making down low.
Derrick Jones Jr.
— Position: Forward
— Age: 25
— Last year’s team/salary: Chicago Bulls, $9.7 million
— Potential next contract: Taxpayer midlevel exception
— Why the Mavs? Jones could add to the Mavericks’ defense-first focus under coach Jason Kidd as an athletic big off the bench to fortify the rotation. Jones almost became a Maverick at the start of 2019 free agency, but Dallas’ inclusion in the multiteam trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat fell through.
JaVale McGee
— Position: Center
— Age: 34
— Last year’s team/salary: Phoenix Suns, $5 million
— Potential next contract: Taxpayer midlevel exception or veteran minimum
— Why the Mavs? McGee is familiar with the Mavericks on several levels. His playing time decreased in the small-ball second-round series this spring, but he still pounded Dallas for 4.3 rebounds in less than 12 minutes a game. He also knows Kidd and a few members of the Mavericks’ coaching staff from the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 NBA Finals run.
Malik Monk
— Position: Shooting guard
— Age: 24
— Last year’s team/salary: Los Angeles Lakers, $1.79 million
— Potential next contract: Taxpayer mid level exception
— Why the Mavs? In a tumultuous season with the Lakers, Monk’s increasing consistency and reliability shined while averaging a career-best 13.8 points on 47.3% from the floor. The 2017 lottery pick outplayed his veteran-minimum contract to emerge as a potential fallback option if Brunson departs to leave a big void in the Mavericks’ backcourt rotation.
Theo Pinson
— Position: Shooting guard/small forward
— Age: 26
— Last year’s team/salary: Mavericks, two-way deal
— Potential next contract: $1.94 qualifying offer
— Why the Mavs? After his December arrival as a COVID 10-day replacement, Pinson fostered such strong team chemistry that the Mavericks converted him to a two-way contract for the rest of the year, and he led the fine-wielding bench hype squad throughout the second half of the season. With no more two-way eligibility, Pinson will probably receive the qualifying offer and opt to stay in Dallas with hopes of working into a rotation option.
Otto Porter Jr.
— Position: Forward
— Age: 29
— Last year’s team/salary: Golden State Warriors, $2.4 million
— Potential next contract: Taxpayer midlevel exception
— Why the Mavs? Porter flashed his potential fit with Dallas throughout Golden State’s championship run, including in the Western Conference finals against the Mavericks. Though his durability remains a question, Porter’s 2021-22 averages of 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 37% 3-point shooting over 63 games should make him one of Dallas’ most-coveted targets this offseason.
Taurean Prince
— Position: Forward
— Age: 28
— Last year’s team/salary: Minnesota Timberwolves, $13 million
— Potential next contract: Taxpayer midlevel exception
— Why the Mavs? The San Antonio native and Baylor product, who shot 37% from 3 off the bench during Minnesota’s resurgent season, could add to the Mavericks’ defensive feistiness — a trait they know well. Recall Prince received a $15,000 fine for an obscene gesture during a spat with Doncic during a matchup in March.
T.J. Warren
— Position: Small forward
— Age: 28
— Last year’s team/salary: Indiana Pacers, $12.7 million
— Potential next contract: Veteran minimum
— Why the Mavs? Warren hasn’t played since December 2020 — including all of the 2021-22 season — because of a left foot injury, but the Pacers said Warren had progressed well in their last update in March. Warren’s full-health upside could net Dallas a productive former starter who appeared to be a playoff-bound team centerpiece before his long-term absence.
