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Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) reacts after a dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers at American Airlines Center on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Dallas. The Clippers defeated the Mavericks 138-131.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
It’s almost early July, and the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> are entering free agency with an opportunity to improve their roster.<\/p>\n They have 11 players signed to guaranteed contracts, with four entering unrestricted free agency. Team president Masai Ujiri<\/a> and general manager Mike Schmitz<\/a> will be equipped with the full non-tax midlevel exception at their disposal and they have significant needs to address.<\/p>\n The Mavericks roster could look completely different by the time the 2026-27 season opens, but here\u2019s a breakdown as free agency kicks off, listed by highest to lowest salary for next season.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) is seen during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Center, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n Kyrie Irving\u00a0<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $39,491,282<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Mavericks finished the regular season tied with Houston for the most clutch games in the\u00a0NBA. They had 45 games that came down to the wire. Irving would\u2019ve given the Mavericks a better opportunity to come away with wins in most of those contests, but he\u2019ll return next season after a year and a half away from basketball.<\/p>\n P.J. Washington\u00a0<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $19,813,044<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Washington battled injuries and inconsistency this season, averaging 14.2 points and 7.0 rebounds with 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks in the first year of a four-year contract. The seventh-year forward was the only player who could not be traded at February\u2019s deadline. He\u2019s a strong defender and excels in small-ball lineups, while offering Dallas a versatile player who could play multiple positions.<\/p>\n Klay Thompson\u00a0<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $17,460,317<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Thompson remains one of the best shooters in the\u00a0NBA, evident by his 202 3-pointers off the bench this season. Thompson said \u201che\u2019s not sure\u201d if he\u2019ll be back next season<\/a> when asked about his future following the final game of the regular season. After spending the majority of this season as a reserve on a losing team, could he return for the final year of his contract? Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz will be tasked with figuring out the best long-term solution for both Thompson and the Mavericks.<\/p>\n Mavericks center Daniel Gafford cheers with the members of the Mavs GEM All Girls Camp, on Friday, June 5, 2026 in Dallas.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Daniel Gafford\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $17,263,584<\/p>\n Gafford is another player who was plagued by injuries this season, starting with a right ankle sprain that was suffered on the first day of training camp. The veteran center was involved in trade rumors leading up to the deadline, but the Mavericks kept him throughout the season. The franchise could move on from Gafford<\/a> this summer if the right deal presents itself, especially if they’re able to receive a first-round pick to help replenish its limited cabinet of draft capital.<\/p>\n Cooper Flagg\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $14,517,480<\/p>\n Flagg just finished one of the best rookie seasons in\u00a0NBA history and will carry that experience into Year 2. The 19-year-old proved that he can do almost everything well on both ends of the floor. He\u2019s relentless with driving to the basket and finishing with either hand, especially his left. He is expected to place an emphasis on 3-point shooting after finishing with a 29.5% clip from beyond the arc. The future is bright for Flagg. He just needs the right pieces around him.<\/p>\n Caleb Martin\u00a0<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $10,001,494<\/p>\n Martin showed flashes of the player he once was, but he struggled this season with a career-low 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds. He has two more years on his contract, including a player option for the 2027-28 season.<\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) celebrates with guard Ryan Nembhard (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Center on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Naji Marshall\u00a0<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $9,428,571<\/p>\n Marshall just produced one of the best seasons of his career with averages of 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He was a consistent presence and available nearly on nightly basis with 74 games played. His ability to score inside the paint rivaled most big men, especially with his signature floater serving as his go-to move.<\/p>\n Max Christie\u00a0<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $8,285,714<\/p>\n Aside from Thompson, Christie was one of the most prolific shooters on the Mavericks. He became a starter and finished fifth on the team in scoring per game with 12.3 points per game. Christie\u2019s emergence as a top 3-point threat makes him a nice long-term fit in Dallas.<\/p>\n Dereck Lively II\u00a0<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $7,239,131<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s third season was cut short after just seven games due to him needing surgery on his right foot. It is unclear if he will be ready in time for training camp next fall, especially since he recently revealed that he’s not able to run or jump, but the Mavericks missed his rim-running and\u00a0shotblocking. He will become extension eligible on Wednesday, but an investment of that magnitude is uncertain because of his injury struggles.<\/p>\n AJ\u00a0Johnson<\/p>\n 2026-27 salary:<\/strong> $3,237,120<\/p>\n Johnson has one guaranteed year left on his contract, but he had trouble finding his footing in 23 games with the Mavericks. He also split his time with the Mavericks and Texas Legends, which could also be the case next season if the roster is fully healthy.<\/p>\n Ryan\u00a0Nembhard\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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