The Dallas Mavericks are positioned prominently in the latest ESPN power rankings following the addition of Klay Thompson.
NBA free agency has largely concluded, with teams finalizing their rosters ahead of the new season. Following their run to the NBA Finals and the acquisition of Klay Thompson, how do the Dallas Mavericks stack up against the rest of the league?
ESPN’s latest power rankings post free agency place the Mavericks fifth overall. They trail the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks. ESPN analyst Tim McMahon commented on Dallas’ offseason moves, emphasizing their offensive potential with Thompson joining Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the league’s top-scoring duo last season. The key question remains whether the Mavericks can build a strong defensive unit around this trio to contend for another Finals appearance. Dallas showed promise in the latter part of last season, boasting the league’s best defense over the final 20 games. They are banking on Naji Marshall to replace Derrick Jones Jr. and expect continued growth from Dereck Lively II after an impressive rookie season and postseason performance.
In addition to these changes, the Mavericks traded for Quentin Grimes from the Detroit Pistons, enhancing their depth at guard.
The Celtics lead the power rankings after a dominant championship-winning season without losing any key players. The rankings for other teams like OKC, Minnesota, and New York are open to debate. Dallas defeated OKC in the playoffs last season, but the Thunder addressed their weaknesses by signing Isaiah Hartenstein for interior presence. Minnesota drafted scoring guards Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., who may impact their postseason prospects. Meanwhile, the Knicks bolstered their lineup with Mikal Bridges but face concerns about depth and past injury issues.
Ultimately, these rankings remain subjective until the season begins in late October. Dallas looks strong on paper following their offseason moves and strong finish last season, but integrating Thompson into the team dynamics may require time on the court to achieve full cohesion.
