The Dallas Mavericks had a wildly successful 2021-22 season and outperformed most expectations, reaching the Western Conference Finals before losing to the Golden State Warriors in five games. The Mavs finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in basketball and with a fourth-place record of 52-30. Their second-round victory over the title-favored Phoenix Suns was a major statement, and the Game 7 victory was one of the most impressive performances across the postseason.

Led by Luka Doncic, Dallas took a major step forward this season. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd had some strong words following the elimination in which he made it clear this is only the beginning for the franchise:

Kidd is right about the bar being raised for this Mavs team. While they should be satisfied with the performance this season, there is still plenty of work to be done to reach the long-term championship goal. The attention is now on the offseason and looking at ways to upgrade this Mavs roster. The core of the team is in place, but it was clear there was a massive dropoff in talent between the Warriors and Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

With 2022 free agency coming up, here are three free agents who should be on the Mavs' checklist. While they aren't set to have any cap space, they can still make key moves.

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Mavs 2022 free agent targets after losing in Western Conference Finals

1. Jalen Brunson

One of the clear storylines of the postseason was the importance of Jalen Brunson. The scrappy guard proved crucial to the Mavs' success and erupted for 41 and 31 points in two of the games without Luka Doncic to start the playoffs. He also is a perfect complementary guard alongside Doncic. The Villanova product is in the final year of the four-year, $6.1 million rookie contract he inked in 2019.

Brunson is set for a much larger payday this summer, so the Mavs must step up to the plate. Dallas was unable to reach a deal with him on an extension before his free agency and cannot afford to let the 26-year-old walk. Jalen Brunson strikes a perfect balance with Luka Doncic and is a capable second option for the team. He should be their largest priority in free agency to ensure that Doncic and Brunson are long-term backcourt partners.

2. Mo Bamba

The clear weakness on the current Mavs roster is in the frontcourt. Dwight Powell served as the team's primary starting center but is not a championship-contending option. The first target on the Mavs' board to upgrade at this spot should be Mo Bamba.

The former sixth overall pick is coming off his best season as a pro in which he averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. He also showed great progress in his perimeter shooting and knocked down 38.1% of his 3-pointers on 4.0 attempts per game. Bamba would be a great fit in Dallas.

His lengthy 7-foot frame and 7-foot-10 wingspan would also increase the Mavs' defensive ability by a large margin. Bamba is a threatening shot blocker who is capable of anchoring the defense. There has been a bit of a logjam in Orlando, but he has still teased he is capable of more.

Bamba would also have an opportunity to feast on offensive boards due to the large number of 3-pointers Dallas launches. The Texas product averaged 2.1 offensive rebounds per game last year and has a high motor in this area.

3. Taurean Prince

The Mavs have done an excellent job finding complementary role players to surround Luka Doncic. Taurean Prince would be another terrific fit in this regard. The 28-year-old plays with toughness, can defend at a high level, and is an effective floor-spacing option. Throughout his career, Prince has averaged 10.4 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 37.1% on 4.6 3-pointers per game. 

While he stands just 6-foot-7, Prince plays bigger than his frame and is a capable modern-day power forward. Adding him to the lineup flexibility would increase Dallas' ability to switch defensively and improve toughness. He carries himself with a veteran presence but has several productive years still in the tank. The Baylor product is a capable contributor to winning basketball and would be a great addition to Dallas.

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The Mavs should be very satisfied with their performance this season, but they still have work to do. Making some key adjustments to the roster can upgrade the team from a surprise playoff team to a legitimate contender. There is plenty to like on the current Dallas roster and these three moves would be very impactful. Ensuring that Jalen Brunson is brought back and finding an upgraded big man must be at the top of the priority list for the Dallas Mavericks.