Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks will open up the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers this coming weekend.
Dallas finished the regular season with a 50-32 record and as the fifth seed in the Western Conference. While the team might fancy itself as legitimate NBA title contenders, the west is absolutely stacked.
Doncic has done well to work with enigmatic guard Kyrie Irving in their first full season together. The duo at least gives these Mavericks a fighting chance in the playoffs.
But if another early postseason exit is in the cards, don’t be surprised if owner Mark Cuban pushes for a big-time move this summer.
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Dallas Mavericks linked to Klay Thompson in NBA free agency
A four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star, Thompson is coming off a horrific performance in the Golden State Warriors’ play-in loss to Sacramento. One of the game’s best shooters connected on 0-of-10 shots from the field for exactly zero points in the blowout defeat.
This will lead to renewed questions about Thompson’s future in San Francisco. He’s set to hit NBA free agency this summer. While a return to the Warriors is likely in the cards, he’ll certainly test the open market.
Signing Thompson outright could prove to be hard for the cap-strapped Mavericks. Rather, they’d likely have to pull off a sign-and-trade with Golden State.
- Klay Thompson stats (2023-24): 17.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 43% shooting, 39% 3-point
While Thompson is coming off his worst statistical season since back in 2012-13, there will be interest in his services.
Accordingly, The Athletic’s Sam Amick pointed to Dallas as a potential suitor for the two-guard.
From an on-court perspective, it would make a ton of sense. Teaming Thompson up with Irving in the backcourt while playing Doncic more at the wing position seems to be a pretty good trio.
Whether it happens remains to be seen. It’s going to be all about how these Mavericks perform in the NBA Playoffs and Thompson’s situation with the Warriors this coming summer.