One of the NBA’s biggest stories of the previous season was the Dallas Mavericks. They were able to go all the way to the NBA Finals because to their trade deadline maneuvers and the developing dynamic between Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Despite losing to the Boston Celtics in five games, Dallas is now unquestionably a legitimate title contender. This is particularly true now that Dallas has Klay Thompson.
The Mavericks’ greatest acquisition of the 2024 NBA free agency period is the Thompson agreement.
Klay Thompson gives the Mavericks everything they require.
In the second half of their game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 12, 2024, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), along with forward Draymond Green (23), celebrate a basket and a foul. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Chris Nicoll
With his two devastating leg injuries in 2019–20 and 2020–21, Klay Thompson and his game have been the subject of a lot of talk. Yes, he is not the best shot creator or the lockdown defender he once was. Nonetheless, he remains a lethal marksman. With nine deep attempts per game, Thompson’s three-point shooting percentage of 38.7% is still the second-lowest of his career for a season.
In addition to being a deadly shooter in the NBA, Thompson is still one of the finest jumpers who can catch and make a play. He, along with Lauri Markkanen and Donte DiVincenzo, were the only three NBA players to attempt more than seven of these jumpers in a single game. Thompson was 10th in the NBA among players with at least five catch-and-shoot three-point attempts per game in 2023–24, shooting 38.1% on those kinds of shots.
Although Thompson’s defensive role and ability to produce at this point in his career remain uncertain, his shooting will be a huge asset for Dallas. To guard the rim, the Celtics frequently used non-shooters like Josh Green and Derrick Jones Jr. That made Doncic’s and Irving’s lives very challenging.
Dan Devine
@YourManDevine Dan Devine · Follow
In the second quarter, Boston *did* start sending two players to the ball, but they did it cautiously and off of the players they were prepared to let beat them (DJJ, PJ, Green). Luka was forcing the Celtics to play 1-on-1. Luka read it right away and began to present a nice appearance. Extremely robust cover!
During the regular season, the Mavericks’ catch-and-shoot three-point percentage of 36.7% placed them 22nd in the league. Out of all the playoff teams, that was the worst. Next year, Thompson will surely raise that score.
The Mavericks are moving more?
Klay Thompson will not only help Dallas’ offense move more, but he can also give them a much-needed lift from a shooting standpoint. The Mavericks are often criticized for letting isolated plays with Irving and Doncic or pick-and-roll situations on that end of the court. Dallas had the second-most isolation possessions per game (11.7) in the league up to that moment.
When you are hiring athletes like Doncic and Irving, there is nothing wrong with it. In the previous NBA season, Dallas ranked third in terms of pick & roll efficiency and was the most effective isolation team. To be less dependent on those two players to produce everything, the Mavericks need expand the variety of their offensive options.
Thompson can assist you with that. He will make shots for the Mavericks since he is a fantastic player when moving. This might take the shape of set plays, transition three-pointers, or just moving to different areas of the halfcourt.
His gravitas might open up a ton of offensive options for Dallas. He might be used in combination with Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II, their big men, to open them up for simple lobs. Alternatively, the fact that he poses a shooting threat even when positioned on the wing ought to facilitate the creation of wider lanes for Doncic and Irving to drive and pass.
It remains to be seen how well defensively Thompson can hold up. However, his arrival teams up two of the league’s top makers of shots with a deadly shooter. The Mavericks, who will contend for the championship in 2025, made a wise decision in adding Thompson in free agency.
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