Dallas Mavericks: 5 potential free agency targets in 2018

2. Julius Randle

Julius Randle dominated in his first season playing at the center position for the Los Angeles Lakers. Per 36 minutes, he averaged 21.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He also shot a career-high 58.8 percent from the field.

However, the Lakers aren’t too focused on Randle, a restricted free agent. Instead, they are trying to get a deal done for Kawhi Leonard before Friday, when Paul George and LeBron James can opt in or out of their player options. The Lakers are determined to land two of or even all three of those players, and Randle is an afterthought.

Dallas, on the other hand, has enough cap space to offer him a fair deal. The Mavs also need a starter at the center position. Head coach Rick Carlisle has discussed Doncic playing at the 4, and the 40-year-old Nowitzki could then be delegated to a bench role.

Randle could then continue to make plays as a center for the Mavericks, but the team may want a more traditional center like Jordan. Randle is only 6’9″, but can’t act as a stretch-5 due to his poor 3-point shooting.

Offering Randle a max contract wouldn’t be wise, but the 23-year-old would be a great addition to the Mavericks’ strong young core. He can only improve his game, and Dallas might be the perfect place to do that.