Across the league, there is a clear push for improved center play, particularly for true lob threats who mirror the skills of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II but come with cleaner injury histories. Teams also crave genuine two-way defenders—athletic wings who bring relentless energy on defense and a reliable shooting touch on offense.
Beyond that, the priority is locking in a long-term secondary playmaker to pair with Luka Dončić. Austin Reaves, who is expected to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent after the season, stands out as the most natural fit for that role.
