As good as the Mavericks were this season, they are not a complete product. Not even close.

They know exactly what they need to give them the best chance to make the next step.

So are Maverick fans ready to embrace longtime nemesis Karl Malone? Or long-forgotten Alonzo Mourning?

Those big men will be two of the primary targets on the Mavericks' radar screen as they consider their options in the free-agent market, which figures to be their most viable way of beefing up.

"It's going to be a really interesting year for free agents," owner Mark Cuban said. "There are a lot more free agents than there are dollars and slots. And hopefully, that will create opportunities for us.

"Free agents are going to fall through the cracks. There are six teams with [salary] cap room. But there's more than 12 good free agents out there."

Good players are going to be scrambling for fewer dollars this off-season. And while marquee players such as Jermaine O'Neal won't be within the Mavericks' reach without giving up key players in a sign-and-trade scenario, players such as Malone and Mourning could be in their price range. The Mavericks will have their $4.5 million veteran salary-cap exception to use this summer.

Malone, who turns 40 on July 24, is weighing his options. He has spent his entire career in Utah. And he is on track to break the all-time NBA scoring record within the next two seasons.

Malone may be ready to break away from Utah. His wife already has made scouting trips to Dallas, San Antonio and Los Angeles. Malone is one of the most durable and toughest players in the league, never missing more than two games in any season.

Rest assured that the Mavericks are one of the only teams Malone is considering as a free-agent destination.

"They are definitely high on my list," Malone said Friday from his home in Utah. "And I don't have a very big list, either."