Three Consecutive Brilliant Moves! Can the Mavericks Win the Championship Next Season?

Klay Thompson has left the Golden State Warriors after 13 illustrious years. The Dallas Mavericks acquired him in a sign-and-trade deal, involving the Charlotte Hornets as a third team. The details of the trade are as follows:

• Hornets receive: Josh Green
• Mavericks receive: Klay Thompson, a second-round pick (from the Hornets)
• Warriors receive: Two second-round picks (2025 from the Hornets, 2031 from the Mavericks)

Despite the long buildup to this moment, it still feels bittersweet to see Thompson leave the Warriors, a team he helped reach six NBA Finals and win four championships. With his departure, the iconic trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green is no more.

The Impact on the Warriors

Beyond the sentimental value, losing Thompson is a significant blow to the Warriors. Combined with releasing Chris Paul and trading Jordan Poole, the Warriors' roster compared to the 2023 season has seen the loss of Thompson, Poole, a protected first-round pick, and a second-round pick. In return, they received only two second-round picks, which clearly indicates a substantial decline in their competitive strength.

The Hornets' Perspective

For the Hornets, the motivation to participate in this trade was straightforward. They had their eyes on Josh Green since the PJ Washington and Grant Williams trade. The sign-and-trade for Thompson triggered the hard cap for the Mavericks, forcing them to part with Green. Adding two second-round picks to the deal made it a no-brainer for Charlotte.

The Mavericks' Gains

From the Mavericks' perspective, acquiring Klay Thompson for three years and $50 million is a steal. Thompson's final game for the Warriors was disastrous—he went 0 for 10 from the field in a play-in loss to the Kings. Moreover, in the previous season’s playoffs against the Lakers, Thompson struggled immensely, shooting just 9 for 42 in the last three games and tallying 27 points combined, leading to the Warriors' elimination.

However, despite these struggles, Thompson's regular-season performance is commendable:

• 2022-23 season: Averaged 21.9 points per game, shot 41.2% from three, and made a career-high 301 three-pointers.
• 2023-24 season: Averaged 17.9 points per game, shot 38.7% from three, and made 268 three-pointers, the third-highest in his career.

In today’s NBA, finding a high-quality shooter like Thompson is no easy task. Securing him for just $50 million over three years is a significant coup. For context, Tim Hardaway Jr. signed a four-year, $75 million contract four years ago, and his salary for the next season is higher than Thompson's.

Thompson remains a reliable shooter, even in a subpar season (career-low healthy season). His three-point shooting from the right corner was still impressive, making 23 of 46 attempts. Pairing him with Luka Dončić, one of the top ball handlers in the league, there's a strong belief that Thompson’s shooting percentages will improve.

More Moves by the Mavericks

The Mavericks' summer moves didn’t stop with acquiring Thompson. They also signed Naji Marshall from the New Orleans Pelicans. Last season, Marshall averaged 9.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, shooting 40.0% from three in the playoffs. While his defense isn’t elite and his shooting can be inconsistent, Marshall's three-year, $27 million deal is a bargain in today’s market. For comparison, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope received a three-year, $66 million contract from the Orlando Magic this summer. Marshall’s deal provides excellent value, and his ball-handling ability can relieve some pressure off Dončić and Kyrie Irving.

Earlier in the offseason, the Mavericks traded Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons for Quentin Grimes. This move is exceptional for Dallas. They managed to offload Hardaway’s expiring contract without sacrificing a first-round pick and acquired a younger, more defensively sound player in Grimes. This trade also helped clear cap space for the Thompson and Marshall signings.

Roster Upgrades and Projected Lineup

With these moves, the Mavericks have effectively replaced their 2023 Finals roster players—Tyus Jones, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Josh Green—with Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and Klay Thompson. While Jones is talented, the new additions provide better overall quality and balance.

The projected starting lineup for the Mavericks next season could be:

• Kyrie Irving
• Klay Thompson
• Luka Dončić
• PJ Washington
• Daniel Gafford (or Dereck Lively)

The bench depth includes:

• Dereck Lively (or Daniel Gafford)
• Quentin Grimes
• Jaden Hardy
• Naji Marshall
• Maxi Kleber
• Dwight Powell

The system will continue to revolve around the dynamic duo of Dončić and Irving, complemented by shooters, defensive specialists, and solid interior defenders.

Championship Aspirations

The Mavericks have put together a formidable roster with these strategic moves. However, they might still have some flexibility for further improvements, particularly at the power forward position. If they can leverage Maxi Kleber in additional trades, their championship chances could be further enhanced.

The pressure is on for the Mavericks. After reaching the Finals last season, anything less than a return trip would be considered a step backward. With their retooled roster, Dallas aims to capitalize on their momentum and contend for the championship in the upcoming season.