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NBA Power Rankings: Where all 30 teams stand in the 2024 preseason | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

NBA Power Rankings: Where all 30 teams stand in the 2024 preseason | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Klay Thompson

Klay ThompsonSam Hodde/Getty Images

After a surprising run to the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks haven't made many dramatic changes this offseason.

For the second year in a row, the three most important players will be Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II.

Luka will still be one of the league's most prolific scorers and playmakers, but the additions of Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes likely aren't massive improvements over Derrick Jones Jr. and Tim Hardaway Jr.

But there was a spectacular move, even if the new free agent is long past his prime. Klay Thompson is now a Maverick, and a streamlined role could extend his Hall of Fame career.

Dallas shouldn't want the 34-year-old to stop moving away from the ball. That's a wrinkle that could make the Mavs' offense more dangerous than it has been in the past. But Luka can also make some of the easiest threes Thompson has ever made.

The Slovenian pointman can shoot threes as often and as effectively as anyone in the NBA. And if Thompson is simply willing to catch and shoot (which he's never had a problem with), he'll hit a lot of threes in the 2024-25 season.

He won't make the same impact defensively as he did in his prime, but Lively, Marshall and Daniel Gafford can help on that front.

Dallas isn't significantly better than it was in 2023/24, but it didn't have to be to remain at the level of title contender.

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