The Lone Ranger brews a big move! Eastern Europe joins forces with Tang God to create the Big Three? The West is more competitive

Li Xilin's basketball lore

2024-06-29 19:18Creators in the field of sports

How much energy does 34-year-old Thompson still have? The Warriors are reluctant to give him a big contract, the two sides may break up, and there are quite a few teams interested in him on the free market. After the Magic, 76ers, Thunder, Nuggets and other teams are interested in him, the Mavericks are also in contention. According to a report by Mark Stein of the Athletic, multiple sources have revealed that the Mavericks have become the most likely next home for Thompson, and there is a strong mutual interest between Thompson and the Mavericks.

The Mavericks reached the Finals in the 2023-24 season, but were beaten 4-1 by the Celtics. The Mavericks have some roster flaws that they actively remedied in the offseason. The Mavericks didn't get much in the draft, getting the No. 51 pick in a trade and selecting French wing Melvin Atkinsa. The Mavericks also signed undrafted center Jamarion Sharpe. With a height of 2.23 meters and an arm span of 2.36 meters, Sharpe is a blocking master, playing an average of 15.8 minutes per game in the 2023-24 season, scoring 3.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 2.4 blocks, and 0.5 turnovers, shooting 59.4% from the field, this is a blue-collar center.

Neither Aginsa nor Sharpe will struggle to make a big difference next season. The Mavericks also need to bring in great helpers for the Eastern European duo to upgrade their roster. Thompson became a target for the Mavericks.

Thompson's 2023-24 season was a career-low low. In the regular season, Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 43.2% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range, the lowest scoring rate in the past nine seasons and the lowest three-point shooting percentage in his career. Thompson had an even worse playoff against the Kings, playing 32 minutes, shooting 0-of-10 from the field and scoring a pointless game, contributing just four rebounds and one assist.

The Warriors failed to make the playoffs, and Thompson struggled both offensively and defensively. It stands to reason that the 2023-24 season is Thompson's contract year, and he should be working hard to get a contract. However, the Warriors' collective form this season has not been good, and even Curry's performance has declined compared to the previous two seasons.

But Thompson is, after all, a four-time All-Star guard. Peak Tang Shen is a super shooter and a defensive master. Some teams still have expectations for Thompson. In fact, in the past two seasons, Thompson has been relatively healthy, playing 69 games in 2022-23 and 77 games in 2023-24.

If the Mavericks get Thompson, the team could indeed add a scorer. But the Mavericks are not suitable for Thompson to start, after all, the starting lineup already has two offense-oriented players, Irving and Doncic. If Tang Shen starts, then the Mavericks' defense will be weaker.

Therefore, for the Mavericks, bringing in Thompson is actually a big gamble. Of course, if Thompson adapts to the Mavericks' system, the team's offense will be very sharp, as he is a dangerous three-point firepower that can take the pressure off Doncic and Irving. Opponents need someone to keep an eye on Thompson, and with Doncic trapped, Thompson will be a dangerous point of attack.

The Mavericks didn't have the salary space to sign Thompson directly, and could only get Thompson by signing first and then trading. The Warriors are reluctant to give Thompson too much of a contract, which is not an endorsement of Thompson's current ability. There is a good chance that the Warriors and Thompson will break up, and while Thompson is still in high spirits, he will undoubtedly want to make a name for himself again. Among the many teams interested in him, there is no doubt that the Mavericks are good targets. If the Mavericks are willing to meet his salary requirements, then sign and trade, and the Mavericks give the Warriors something in return.

The Mavericks have sent Hardaway Jr., who has had a sluggish playoff streak, in exchange for Grimes. Grimes played just six games for the Pistons in 2023-24 before being reimbursed for the injured season, averaging just 5.3 points, 2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 21.4% from the field and 14.3% from three-point range. Obviously, Grimes may not be able to do much to help the Eastern European pair. Whether the Mavericks' pursuit of Thompson will succeed is up in the air, but they will certainly find ways to upgrade their roster and challenge for a championship.

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