Dallas Mavericks at a Crossroads
The Dallas Mavericks find themselves at a pivotal moment this NBA season. With a record of 9-16, the team’s performance has not aligned with their preseason aspirations. However, recent flashes of brilliance—winning four of their last five games, including notable victories over the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets—suggest that there might still be hope for rejuvenation.
Assessing the Future
As the Mavericks navigate the NBA Cup week, a pressing question looms over their future: what is the realistic ceiling for this team? If the goal is anything short of a Conference Semifinals appearance, the front office may need to reevaluate their roster strategy. The emergence of talent like rookie Cooper Flagg indicates a potential shift towards a new era, prompting the Mavericks to consider selling off veteran assets.
Potential Trade Activity
Recent reports from NBA insider Shams Charania highlight the Mavericks’ willingness to explore trades involving key veterans. The list of players under consideration includes Anthony Davis, center Daniel Gafford, and guards Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell.
Thompson’s situation is particularly intriguing. After signing with Dallas in July 2024, he was eager to join forces with superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on a team that had just made a deep playoff run. Yet, with Doncic now absent and the team struggling below .500, the context has dramatically shifted. Teams around the league are aware of Thompson’s preference to compete for a championship during the remaining two years of his three-year, $50 million contract.
Thompson’s Performance Under Scrutiny
While the season began slowly for the four-time champion, he has recently found his rhythm, averaging 12.8 points per game and shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc over his last ten outings. Defensively, he has been impressive as well, limiting opponents to 38.5% shooting when guarding them, placing him 10th among guards who have defended over 50 shots during this stretch.
As the Mavericks continue to assess their options, the decisions made in the coming weeks could reshape the franchise for years to come.
