The Dallas Mavericks will spend the final 25 games of the season evaluating their roster to figure out which players fit their long-term outlook.
Five players will be unrestricted free agents this offseason, including Marvin Bagley III, who has been Dallas’ most productive newcomer since he was acquired at the trade deadline this month from the Washington Wizards.
The power forward is averaging 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds off the bench through six games with the Mavericks, while shooting 58.9% from the field. He also has three double-doubles during that stretch. It’s the type of consistency that would serve the Mavericks well not only in the interim, but also for the future.
Jason Kidd, who won his 200th game as coach of the Mavericks on Tuesday at Brooklyn, credited Bagley’s experience for the seamless transition.
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“He’s a really good player,” Kidd said. “He’s a grown-up and understands the NBA game a little bit. Sometimes it takes time. We all want it to happen overnight. I think the coaching staff, the media, everyone that’s been on this road trip or with him, has made him comfortable and you can see the way he’s playing.“
On Tuesday, Bagley played his best game since joining the Mavericks with 22 points and five rebounds on 10 of 13 shooting from the field in just 20 minutes off the bench. He was one point shy of tying his season high of 23 points.
Since his first game, Bagley has provided an instant impact. His aggressiveness on the glass and motor on both sides of the ball was evident in his first game Feb. 7. Bagley set the franchise record for the most offensive rebounds in a Mavericks debut with eight in a 16-point double-double against the San Antonio Spurs. Overall, he has 22 offensive rebounds in six outings.
After Tuesday’s win, Bagley described his approach since joining the Mavericks.
“Every day, just putting your best foot forward and giving it your all,” Bagley said. “That’s my mindset, and it looks like that’s the rest of the guys’ mindset here as well. I love to be a part of this and I’m just happy that I have teammates like that.”
Bagley signed a veteran minimum contract with the Washington Wizards last summer worth $3.8 million and could play his way into a larger payday during this year’s free agency cycle. It’s very possible his production could garner a multi-year contract from a rival team.
The Mavericks will have Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford under contract next season, but veteran big man Dwight Powell will be an unrestricted free agent as well. There will be five roster spots up for grabs, with one likely secured by whomever Dallas selects with its lottery pick, but there’s room for Bagley, especially as an emergency center option in case Dallas encounters more injury misfortune.
That decision will be left to whomever Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont appoints as the permanent general manager following a search that likely will gain steam once the regular season ends in April.
The 26-year-old Bagley brings different offensive skills than Dallas’ other centers. Both Lively and Gafford are rim-running lob threats and elite shot blockers, and both have shared the starting center position since the 2024-25 season, based on rhythm and availability.
Bagley could be a viable reserve option if he and the Mavericks are mutually interested in a new contract, especially since he possesses both of those qualities, not to mention he can occasionally stretch the floor with his 3-point shot. He’s converted on 10 of his 23 attempts (43.5%) from beyond the arc this season.
But Bagley separates himself most with his ability to put the ball on the floor and get to his spots, which sets up his jump hook with either hand. Kidd values his versatility on both ends of the floor.
“If it’s not in the post, it’s offensive rebounding, playing defense for us,” Kidd said. “The trust with everybody is at a high and he’s brand new, and that just shows how talented he is.”
Bagley holds career averages of 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds across his eight seasons in the NBA with Sacramento, Detroit, Washington and Memphis. He was selected with the No. 2 pick by the Kings in the 2018 NBA draft, just before the Mavericks acquired Luka Doncic.
Bagley has since turned into a journeyman and has yet to find a franchise willing to commit to him long term. At just 26 years old, the veteran big man is proving he’s still capable of making an impact on a nightly basis.
For now, he aims to stay present and finish the rest of the season strong.
“I’m just trying to soak it all in,” Bagley said, “be a sponge and continue to learn and help my teammates in whatever way I can.”
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