Could Luka Doncic's Mavs Sign 'Dream' Center in Free Agnecy?

The Mavs face a need to improve defensively during the offseason. One option they have been linked to in free agency speculation is Brook Lopez of the Bucks.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks need to find an answer at the center position this offseason, but will be limited in their options in doing so. 

After ranking 26th in defensive rating and 30th in total rebounding percentage, there is a clear need for an anchor at the five spot. The Mavs have starting center Dwight Powell and Christian Wood both set to reach free agency this offseason. 

"Even if Irving comes back, Christian Wood and Dwight Powell can both sign elsewhere," Bleacher Report writes. "JaVale McGee clearly wasn't the answer at center, so more help in the frontcourt is needed."

Brook Lopez, 35, has anchored the Milwaukee Bucks' defense since the 2018-19 season. He was labeled a "dream target' for the Mavs to pursue in free agency by Bleacher Report when attempting to reach a solution at the center position, which they consider as being the team's greatest need.

The Mavs' top offseason priority is to re-sign Kyrie Irving, which would strongly limit their outlook to acquire Lopez. Dallas plans to operate with the mindset of having a two-year, $10 million contract offer as its main spending mechanism if Irving returns on his projected contract. 

Lopez is coming off a four-year, $52 million contract that featured a $13.9 million final-year salary. It's difficult to envision him being willing to sign for a $5 million annual salary to join the Mavs when he's already been shown proven success by playing his role alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks.

While Lopez is nearing the final stage of his NBA career, he's still coming off an impressive season that featured averages of 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 78 regular season appearances. His impact on the court far exceeds the likely limited offer the Mavs could make. 

It is worth noting that while Lopez would check a lot of boxes as a stretch-five who can protect the paint, he would be far from a solution for the Mavs' rebounding woes. The team already needs to add size on the wing and improve at dribble containment. Lopez would need assistance in a unit-based approach to rebounding. 

Due to possible hard cap implications and having unfavorable contracts to send back in a sign-and-trade, it's challenging to envision there being a viable pathway for Lopez to end up with the Mavs using such a method. 

Ultimately, a speculation list about offseason targets for all 30 teams in the league can be a fun practice, but the particular context for the Mavs in this instance would be especially challenging to pull off if their plans go as expected.

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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