Dallas entered the free-agency period after a quiet Day 1, and the Mavericks have already signaled interest in Denver forward Cam Johnson. The 30-year-old wing is entering the final year of a four-year, $94.5 million contract, which would translate to roughly $23 million in salary for Dallas next season.
Johnson posted a 43 percent three-point clip last year while attempting nearly five shots from beyond the arc each game. He averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in just over 30 minutes per contest, starting all 54 of his appearances. Those percentages demonstrate that his shooting stroke has remained steady despite recent injuries, giving Dallas a reliable perimeter option.
From a tactical perspective, Johnson addresses the Mavericks’ most glaring need: reliable perimeter scoring. At 6-8, his rangy athleticism allows him to stretch defenses and finish cuts, providing a long-body wing that can complement Luka Dončić’s playmaking and Kyrie Irving’s penetration. In Masai Ujiri’s formula, a versatile wing who can guard multiple positions while spacing the floor is essential for a contender that wants to stay defensively flexible.
The pursuit fits into a broader overhaul of Dallas’ front office. After parting ways with Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd, the new trio of Masai Ujiri, Mike Schmitz and Dusty May has committed to building around rookie Cooper Flagg while reshuffling the roster. Although Irving’s contract already consumes a sizable portion of the cap, the Mavericks believe they have enough flexibility to absorb a $23 million salary for a single season.
Denver’s interest in Johnson has already attracted other clubs, indicating that his market value is solid. A likely scenario would see Dallas acquire him via trade before the free-agency deadline and negotiate a one-year deal, essentially a one-and-done stint before he reaches unrestricted free agency. If the Mavericks secure Johnson, the added shooting depth would deepen their lineup and push the team into the playoff conversation, signaling that the organization is willing to spend cap space for immediate impact rather than a prolonged rebuild.
Dallas Mavericks 
