New York Knicks: Top 2019 free agent competitors by projected cap space

3. Dallas Mavericks ($52.12 million)

The Dallas Mavericks are all too familiar to the New York Knicks. They just exchanged names in the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster on Jan. 31, which helped New York clear cap space and acquire draft picks.

Dallas is in an interesting position, though. They will have a healthy Porzingis to open the 2019-20 season and Luka Doncic looks like the NBA’s next star. Those two could work towards the end of the West’s postseason picture if all works out.

However, the Mavs could have over $50 million to spend and surround these two with veterans. This may not make them a top flight team, but at least a group to create noise in a crowded conference.

There is not much roster depth returning otherwise, so they will need a full run at free agency in July with that cap space. They have cash to spend, but like the other two teams, it may just go towards the middle of the pack. Porzingis’ free-agent tender is a factor, too, but that may not become a situation until the 2020 offseason, when he can become an unrestricted free agent.

Dallas signing a top name would make this a surprising offseason and fast track the rebuild, especially as they lose one first-round pick to the Hawks and two to the Knicks.