NBA Free Agency: 3 best landing spots for Mike Conley Jr.

NBA free agency destinations for Mike Conley: Dallas Mavericks

This may not be the summer the Dallas Mavericks take a major swing in free agency. They have had more franchise upheaval than at any point in the last two decades so now could be a time to focus on stability, bring back Tim Hardaway Jr. and figure out exactly where they are going from here. However, the urgency to build around Luka Doncic has to be considered. While he is likely to sign his super-max extension this summer, the clock is ticking nonetheless to show him that the Mavericks are finally back to being a serious organization.

Conley is the type of star addition that also brings stability. He is a selfless leader who will not step on the toes of those around him. He would add another playmaker next to Doncic how would take plenty of that pressure off the young star. Doncic is not exactly a defensive savant, so bringing in a defensive-minded guard next to him would help with a unit that has ranked 18th, 18th and 21st in defensive rating in Doncic’s three seasons.

Juggling the cap situation could be complicated for a new and relatively inexperienced front office. Should Josh Richardson turn down his player option of $11.6 million (unlikely but anything is possible) the Mavericks will have $79.4 million committed to next season with Hardaway, Richardson, J.J. Redick, Nicolo Melli and Boban Marjanovic on the way out. Figuring out the fit is obviously unlikely without dumping a certain former All-Star somewhere, but if the Mavericks could figure out a way to get it done the fit would be special.