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5 NBA Free Agents The Dallas Mavericks Should Target

By Matthew Galatzan

Mar 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) signals to his team as he dribbles in the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) signals to his team as he dribbles in the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0, right) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21, left) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0, right) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21, left) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Andre Drummond

There’s one position that the Mavs haven’t had a dominant force in the Rick Carlisle era, and that’s Center. Tyson Chandler was a godsend in 2011 and was without a doubt one of the main cogs in the Mavs’ championship run.

The Mavs let him go a year later and haven’t won a playoff series since. Even after a trade for Chandler in 2014, the Mavs couldn’t find the same magic and let Chandler go yet again.

Andre Drummond is the best center on the market and well on his way to becoming one of, if not the, most dominant big man in today’s game. Last season with Detroit, Drummond averaged 16.2 points (sixth among centers) and led the NBA with a whopping 14.8 rebounds per game.

The best part? He’s 22 years old and hasn’t yet entered the prime of his playing days. Drummond is a good, but not great, rim protector and he’s got room to improve on the defensive end.

He also needs work at the free throw line, which seems to be a common theme among today’s elite big men. But if he can put it all together, Drummond has a chance the best the best center in the game.

Drummond will almost certainly demand a max deal from any team that he goes to, which will make prying him away from Detroit that much more difficult.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duncati01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-hoopshabit.com

If (and it’s a big if) the Mavs can lure him to tax-free Texas, Drummond could give the Mavs their cornerstone piece for the future, and potentially help them to compete in a top-heavy, yet stacked Western Conference.

While as a restricted free agent, Detroit will likely match any offer that Drummond will receive from potential suitors, Dallas should and probably will do anything in their power to land the big man.

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