Report: Mavericks targeting pair of intriguing free agents

The Dallas Mavericks may not have the assets to dive head-first into many trade conversations currently for top-tier talent to pair up with Luka Doncic and recently re-signed Kyrie Irving, but they're still looking to make moves. 

While the focus for the Mavs has remained on finding any way possible to make sure Doncic feels like the team can compete and in turn, opts to re-sign, at least one of the two latest names linked could move the needle.

As Marc Stein revealed in The Stein Line, the Mavericks are reportedly interested in two restricted free agents — Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams and Portland Trail Blazers wing Matisse Thybulle.

If Dallas were to make a play for either of the two players, they'd need to sign them to an offer sheet as early as July 6. As Stein points out, the interest in Williams and Thybulle aligns with the team's free agency to this point, which aside from the Irving signing, has included smaller deals, such as adding Seth Curry, Dante Exum and bringing back Dwight Powell.

The Mavericks will have questions surrounding their roster in 2023 even if either or both of Williams and Thybulle are signed. Rookie center Dereck Lively has tremendous upside, but it's unknown what level of impact he'll be able to make during his first NBA season and if it'll be enough to convince the team's front office that they won't need to strike a trade for a center.

As things currently stand, if the Mavericks can't make a deal for an instant-impact starting center, don't be surprised if they're active around this season's trade deadline in an effort to acquire one.