The Mavericks had a tremendous year, but still fell short of that elusive championship.
Dallas didn’t look particularly close in a Finals series that Boston dominated. The question that always arises after the team’s playoff losses will inevitably resurface: Have the Mavericks done enough to keep Luka Doncic happy?
The Mavs will always be in competition with Doncic on the roster. He desperately wants to win a championship, so every move must be made with players in mind who can thrive alongside him and bring the team closer to that goal.
Doncic should not be considered a major flight risk yet. He is signed through the 2026-27 season and the Mavericks have the most money to offer him an extension next summer. He will be eligible for a five-year supermax contract in the summer of 2025 that would pay him an estimated $346 million, which will be the largest contract awarded in league history. according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Doncic will remain on the team until that supermax is signed. Kyrie Irving will also sign for the next two seasons. The decisions the team makes will focus more on the supporting cast, which needs improvement.
Here’s who the front office has to decide.
Mavericks upcoming free agents
The Mavericks are not projected to have cap space to sign any major free agents this summer. Instead, they will have to work to manage their tax bill or try to stay below it: it is expected to exceed $2.8 million as of now. by Spotrac.
Their starting lineup is practically established. Doncic and Irving are obviously locks. Trade acquisitions of PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford are signed through 2025-26.
Derrick Jones Jr. was the team’s fifth starter in the playoffs and is the only question mark. He far exceeded his minimum salary of $2.7 million, bringing solid defensive play, athleticism and better shooting than on his previous teams.
Jones will become a free agent. The team will have non-Bird rights on him, meaning they will be limited to offering him just $3.3 million next year, or using part of their mid-level exception for taxpayers starting at around $5 million.
Given how weak the 2024 free agent class is, Jones Jr. may represent a flight risk to take a bigger deal elsewhere.
All of Dallas’ other free agents were not a major part of their regular rotation. Jones Jr. will be the priority.
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Player option | Equipment option/not guaranteed |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | Brandon Williams | None | Dante Exum |
| Markieff Morris | Greg Brown III | AJ Lawson |
Mavericks future salaries, roster
Much of the Mavericks roster is locked in for the foreseeable future.
All figures via Spotrac.
| Player | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 |
| Luka Doncic | $43,031,940 | $45,999,660 | $48,967,380 (PO) | Ufa |
| Kyrie Irving | $41,000,000 | $42,962,963 (PO) | Ufa | — |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | $16,193,183 | Ufa | — | — |
| PJ Washington | $15,500,000 | $14,152,174 | Ufa | — |
| Daniel Gafford | $13,394,160 | $14,386,320 | Ufa | — |
| jose green | $12,654,321 | $13,666,667 | $14,679,012 | Ufa |
| Maxi Kléber | $11,000,000 | $11,000,000 | Ufa | — |
| Animated Dereck II | $5,014,560 | $4,253,360 (A) | $7,239,131 (A) | RFA |
| Dwight Powell | $4,000,000 | $4,000,000 (PO) | Ufa | — |
| Dante Exum | $3,150,000 (NG) | Ufa | — | — |
| Olivier-Maxence Prosper | $2,870,400 | $3,007,080 (A) | $5,259,383 (A) | RFA |
| AJ Lawson | $2,120,683 (NG) | $2,401,587 (NG) | $2,489,752 (NG) | Ufa |
| Jaden Hardy | $2,019,699 | RFA | — | — |
mail = Player option
TO = Equipment option
NG = Not guaranteed
Ufa = Unrestricted free agent
RFA = Restricted free agent
Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Draft Picks
The Mavericks only have one pick, the last of the second round.
First round
- None
Second round
- Pick No. 58 (via Boston)
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A burning question
Who do the Mavericks choose as their fifth starter?
The Mavericks don’t have many avenues to add a free agent. They will be limited to $5 million and there aren’t many quality options at that price. Jones Jr. has performed admirably and could compete with this same group. Tim Hardaway Jr. was also a starter all season if Jones left, but he seemed completely ineffective towards the latter part of the season.
The other option is to change for someone. The Mavs will have their 2025 and 2031 first-round picks available to offer, along with a handful of second-round picks. Hardaway’s $16 million expired salary could be a useful salary-matching chip.
The Mavericks could use more of a 3-and-D wing presence alongside Doncic, Irving, Washington and Gafford. How about the return of Dorian Finney-Smith? The much improved Deni Avdija could be another great option. Both players would fit Hardaway’s salary spot.
Dallas was an excellent defensive team after the trade deadline, seventh place in the league. A full year from Gafford and Washington should help increase his win total. The Mavericks need better shooters to surround Doncic and Irving, and another trade will be the best way to do it.
A little tweaking on the margins could be enough to get this group back to the Finals next season and more competitive once they get there.