3 biggest needs the Dallas Mavericks must address in the 2021 NBA offseason

#2 Sign better defensive options

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Two

A major reason for the Dallas Mavericks' elimination from the playoffs this season was their inability to defend the perimeter or the lane against the LA Clippers. The Mavs had no answer to Kawhi Leonard, who bullied his defenders throughout the series and put up two 40+ point games, including 45 in a decisive game six victory in Dallas.

In game seven, the Mavericks conceded 20 three-pointers, most of which were uncontested. They also struggled in the paint, with the LA Clippers getting to the line more on average throughout the series. The Mavericks couldn't deal with the Clippers' small-ball style of play.

On the free agency market, the Dallas Mavericks need to seriously consider some 3-and-D options. During the regular season, they were not a bad defensive side but they did rank bottom for steals and were among the bottom-five teams for blocks. They could look at trading for Myles Turner, a serial rim protector, or bringing in the likes of Avery Bradley, Danny Green or P.J. Tucker - all of whom are free agents.

#1 Find Luka Doncic a co-star

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic

At the top of the organization's biggest concerns this offseason should be finding Luka Doncic a co-star. There is widespread expectation that the young phenom will sign his supermax contract extension with the club and therefore will be locked in for another five years in Dallas.

Luka Doncic adds another chapter to his legend leading the Mavs to a 113-103 upset of the Clippers in Game 1. Luka finishes with 31 points, 10 boards, 11 assists... wow! #NBA pic.twitter.com/lyW6UFl1uN

— Davide Chinellato (@dchinellato) May 22, 2021

Where the Dallas Mavericks have a problem, however, is keeping him happy. And that will be their first priority. At the end of the regular season and in the playoffs, the most help Doncic was getting was from Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis. However, both could be in patchy form and the latter went missing in three of the matchups against the Clippers.

Neither player is an offensive creator either and if their shots aren't falling, they have little else to fall back on. They are, essentially, secondary or third-choice scorers on offense.

The Dallas Mavericks have few assets to trade in the offseason but do have cap space and may even choose to move Porzingis on in a deal for another star. A number of teams in the league have salary space to take on the center's monster contract and the Mavs should at least test the market to see what offers they can get. Ultimately, though, the choices could be thin this summer.

Their best bet for a second star could be trying to attain DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs - who could take on Porzingis' contract - or Norman Powell from the Trail Blazers. Or they could look to replace the Latvian directly in the frontcourt with Richaun Holmes or John Collins.