The Dallas Mavericks recently worked out Isaiah Thomas, Lance Stephenson and Monta Ellis as reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania. While these candidates working out for the Mavs make sense at this time of the off season, the team should still be looking elsewhere. 

I mentioned in my last piece about the Dallas Mavericks that the team did not make much of a splash in the off season and that could be the challenge for them this year. Luka Doncic has no reliable second option and the uncertainty behind Kristaps Porzingis is still a concern so signing these three veterans above won’t necessarily change that. Here’s are three reasons why the Mavs should sign other players instead: 

Mavs truths:

Thomas, Stephenson and Elis are past their prime

Let’s be real here — there’s a reason why these three players are still free agents. Not saying that they can no longer contribute to the game but there are better players out there. The Mavs in particular should not be eyeing on veterans but rather more role players who can remove the offensive load on Luka Doncic.

A signing that I believe would really work with the Mavericks is former Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic. I’ve been advocating for Dragic to the Mavs for a while because it just seems like the perfect fit. Dragic may no longer be the player he once was but he still was a huge part of the Heat’s finals run in the bubble almost a year ago. Dragic can be a reliable playmaker after Doncic and can even mentor his fellow Slovenian teammate.

Mavs should go after players who can do well in the playoffs

The Mavs are in a first round playoff rut because they can’t seem to advance for the past few years now. They don’t need players who can’t be reliable come playoff time. Thomas can provide offense but his height will certainly get picked on by the opponent’s defense. Stephenson is a forward who can create his own plays but he also hasn’t been in the playoffs for a while now. As for Elis, well we don’t know and that’s because he hasn’t really made his presence felt for a while. The Mavs need to target players who they can rely on come playoff time. 

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Mavericks' Luka Doncic, Mavericks' Kyrie Irving on left. Clippers' Paul George' Clippers Kawhi Leonard on right.

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Luka needs his shooters

In order to maximize Doncic’s superior playmaking abilities, he needs shooters around him—similar to LeBron James’ style. There’s a reason why the Los Angeles Lakers loaded up on shooters this season and the Mavericks should do the same for Doncic instead of signing players they aren’t sure about. One player the Mavericks should go after instead is Wesley Matthews. 

Matthews, who played for the Lakers last season, isn’t signed with any team yet. He played for the Mavs not long ago and is probably still familiar with the team’s culture.  He can shoot the ball, still defend on a high level and is a veteran who has playoff experience. He’d be a great fit alongside Doncic and company and it also helps that Matthews has worked with now Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd so the transition could be as smooth.