Free agency season is upon us which has turned into quite the phenomenon, surely making the NBA a 12 month sport.

For the Mavericks, it’s well documented that the Mavericks haven’t had the best luck when it comes to free agency in the past. But, these are new times in Dallas; hopefully.

This offseason, the Mavericks sit with right around $30 million in cap space, giving them plenty of room to add impact players around their two young stars, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. But, the question remains: how should the Mavs allocate those free agency dollars? Chase a big fish or sign a few role players?

Both options would certainly improve the team’s chances at securing a playoff berth next season and there really isn’t a wrong answer. The Mavericks have already been linked to rumors with Al Horford, Kemba Walker, Patrick Beverley, and the list goes on with five days before free agency even really begins.

Is there a preference of which route to take for Dallas? Maybe not, but if Kemba Walker is available and wants to play in Dallas, you sign Kemba Walker. But what if he opts to stay in Charlotte or bounces for Boston? That’s when the Mavericks should quickly turn their focus to Malcolm Brogdon and Patrick Beverley.

Malcolm Brogdon

I’d say outside of top tier guards like Klay Thompson and Bradley Beal, Malcolm Brogdon fits the mold perfectly in what you’d want from a guard alongside Luka Doncic. The 26-year-old averaged 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists this past season while also joining the 50-40-90 club (FG%, 3PT%, FT%) as the 8th member in history.

Brogdon is known for being an elite 3&D guard who can also play the role of secondary playmaker. His fit next to Luka is ideal being that Brogdon doesn’t need the basketball in his hands and can spot up from three with the best of them while also seeing the floor at an elite level as a cutter.

There’s two potential hiccups when it comes to signing Brogdon. One is that he’s a restricted free agent but the Bucks have a handful of players, along with Brogdon, who they must ponder resigning in Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Nikola Mirotic. But, the Mavericks wouldn’t be the only team attempting to pry his services away from Milwaukee as you can expect several cap friendly teams to be making calls to Mr. Brogdon and his agent.

It’s unsure what number competing teams would need to get to for the Bucks to not match the offer but it’s certainly worth the try for Dallas. The other concern is his injury history. He missed 16 games during the regular season and half of the postseason with a plantar fascia tear while also missing 34 regular season games in 2017-2018 with a partially torn tendon in his left quad. He’s still only 26 but it’s certainly something to monitor.

Regardless, Brodgon is a consummate fit next to Luka and with this Mavericks team as a whole. If Dallas can add him alongside their two young stars as well as a solid young core, the Mavericks may be back in business.

Patrick Beverley

You always need a pitbull on your team. A guy who fears no one and adds an immediate toughness and defensive prowess to the other four guys on the floor. That’s Patrick Beverley.

Pat Bev is one of those guys for fans that if he’s on another team, you hate him but if he’s on your team, he’s your favorite player. Adding Beverley to this Mavericks team would do wonders.

Having him alongside Luka during war is a beautiful thought. Not that Luka isn’t tough but Beverley just adds an infectious perseverance and grit that would surely transfer over to every player on the team. Picture this; imagine Beverley giving Luka hell every day in practice. Just being as physical and annoying as possible. It would surely make Luka better but you know damn well Carlisle would love every second of it.

Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News reported that “Clippers guard Beverley, 30, is very much in play for the Mavericks. Sources told The Dallas Morning News on Monday night that Dallas and Beverley regard one another as a perfect fit.” Townsend also stated that the Mavericks and Beverley do plan to meet at the start of free agency yet that meeting has not been scheduled.

Beverley isn’t a one dimensional player either. Though his averages of 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists may not be as attractive as other free agent options, he still shot 40% from three on 282 attempts last season and is a 38% shooter from deep over his career. And it sure doesn’t hurt that Beverley and Doncic also share the same agent, Bill Duffy, which assuredly adds another angle to the mutual interest.

To add to the narrative, Beverley is already teasing the MFFL’s with his Twitter fingers, sending the cryptic eye emoji’s to Luka on Twitter and even earlier this week, responding to the report that the Mavs plan to offer Kristaps a full 5-year, $158M max contract on June 30. It’s clear that Beverley wants to get paid, as he hasn’t necessarily had that big pay day yet throughout his career but he and Dallas would be a great marriage.

Secure the 💰 congrats @kporzee https://t.co/2KpVqXeVoX

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) June 25, 2019

Now you may ask; what’s the chances that the Mavericks can add both Brodgon and Beverley? I’d say it’s unlikely. Both players will have several suitors, on top of the fact that the Mavericks would have to wait two days to see if Milwaukee would match any offer to Brogdon. Within those two days, Beverley or any other potential free agent target could be long gone.

It will definitely be a free agent frenzy for the books this offseason and if the Mavericks can land either Malcolm Brogdon or Patrick Beverley, I’d label this offseason as a success.