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 brings what the Mavericks need
There has been much discussion about Klay Thompson’s performance following his severe leg injuries in 2019-20 and 2020-21. While he may no longer be the elite defender or shot creator he once was, Thompson remains an outstanding shooter. He shot 38.7% from three-point range on nine attempts per game, which is still his second-lowest three-point shooting percentage in his career.
Thompson continues to be one of the most dangerous shooters in the NBA, particularly excelling in catch-and-shoot situations. He was one of only three players, alongside Lauri Markkanen and Donte DiVincenzo, to attempt over seven catch-and-shoot shots per game. Thompson made 38.1% of these attempts, ranking 10th in the NBA among players with at least five catch-and-shoot three-point attempts per game in the 2023-24 season.
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.
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.
More movement for the Mavericks?
Klay Thompson can not only provide a much-needed shooting boost but also enhance the movement in Dallas’ offense. A frequent critique of the Mavericks is their tendency to rely heavily on pick-and-roll or isolation plays with Doncic and Irving. Dallas ranked second in the league for isolation possessions per game at 11.7.
This approach works well with players as talented as Doncic and Irving, as Dallas was the most efficient isolation team and the third-most efficient pick-and-roll team in the NBA last season. However, diversifying their offense would lessen their dependence on these two players for all their offensive creation.
Thompson can contribute significantly in this regard. His ability to hit shots on the move can add versatility to the Mavericks’ offense. This could be through set plays, drilling threes in transition, or repositioning himself effectively in 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.