The Mavericks had a stellar season, but they still couldn’t grasp that ever-elusive championship.
When the Finals rolled around, Dallas didn’t exactly put up a fight against a Boston team that ran the show. Once again, the eternal question bubbles up after another playoff heartbreak: have the Mavericks done enough to keep their star, Luka Doncic, content?
With Doncic on the roster, the Mavs are always in the mix. Luka’s laser-focused on a championship, so every roster move must aim at finding players who can both complement his style and push the team closer to that coveted title.
But let’s not sound the alarms just yet about Doncic fleeing. He’s locked in through the 2026-27 season, and come next summer, the Mavericks can offer him the most lucrative extension. In 2025, he’s eligible for a five-year supermax deal worth a staggering $346 million, potentially the largest contract in NBA history, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Doncic isn’t going anywhere until that supermax is inked. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving is on board for the next two seasons. The focus now shifts to bolstering the supporting cast.
Here’s the roster dilemma the front office faces.
Mavericks upcoming free agents
The Mavericks aren’t exactly swimming in cap space to snag any high-profile free agents this summer. Instead, they’ll need to juggle their tax bill, currently projected to be $2.8 million over the cap according to Spotrac, and possibly get under it.
Their starting lineup is mostly set. Doncic and Irving are the cornerstones. Trade acquisitions P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford are secured through 2025-26.
Derrick Jones Jr., who emerged as the team’s fifth starter during the playoffs, is the wildcard. Jones Jr. blew past expectations, outperforming his $2.7 million minimum salary with solid defense, athleticism, and improved shooting.
Jones Jr. is hitting free agency, and with non-Bird rights, the Mavericks can only offer him $3.3 million next year, unless they dip into their taxpayer mid-level exception, which starts at around $5 million.
Given the weak 2024 free agent class, Jones Jr. might be tempted to cash in on a bigger offer elsewhere.
The rest of Dallas’ free agents didn’t play significant roles during the regular season. Jones Jr. is the top priority.
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Player option | Team option/non-guaranteed |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | Brandon Williams | None | Dante Exum |
| Markieff Morris | Greg Brown III | A.J. Lawson |
Mavericks future salaries, roster
| 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 | — | — |
| P.J. Washington | $15,500,000 | $14,152,174 | UFA | — |
| Daniel Gafford | $13,394,160 | $14,386,320 | UFA | — |
| Josh Green | $12,654,321 | $13,666,667 | $14,679,012 | UFA |
| Maxi Kleber | $11,000,000 | $11,000,000 | UFA | — |
| Dereck Lively II | $5,014,560 | $4,253,360 (TO) | $7,239,131 (TO) | 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 (TO) | $5,259,383 (TO) | RFA |
| A.J. Lawson | $2,120,683 (NG) | $2,401,587 (NG) | $2,489,752 (NG) | UFA |
| Jaden Hardy | $2,019,699 | RFA | — | — |
PO = Player option
TO = Team option
NG = Non-guaranteed
UFA = Unrestricted free agent
RFA = Restricted free agent
Mavericks 2024 NBA Draft picks
First round
- None
Second round
- No. 58 pick (via Boston)
