The Dallas Mavericks have their eyes set on the 2018 free agency class and they plan to start at the top with DeMarcus Cousins.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Mavs will pursue Cousins as a top priority in the summer of 2018.

Cousins averaged 26.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game on a dysfunctional Sacramento Kings team and he hasn’t even hit his prime yet.

The Mavericks are trying to find their perfect replacement for Mavs lifer Dirk Nowitzki, who will possibly retire at that point and will leave the team with a gaping hole to fill.

Cousins could be the man for the job, but there will be competition to get him. Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas has already started his recruitment for the center on social media.

Currently the Kings are still trying to stabilize their franchise after a rocky year last season and there is no guarantee things will be better this season.

Head coach George Karl caused a riff with Cousins and soured their relationship before it even began, but the Kings replaced him with former Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger.

The Kings will have to create a winning situation this upcoming season in order to appease Cousins enough to keep him in Sacramento.