Two Dallas Mavericks players are in ESPN’s Top 100 NBA Players list. ESPN reached its rankings by presenting 15,000 player matchups to their “expert panel” to determine who will be better for the 2024-25 NBA season. On Tuesday, ESPN released its first round of players ranked Nos 100 to 51.
Now, ESPN’s lists are subjective, but they spark conversations in basketball. ESPN will release its second round of players ranked Nos 5o to 11 on Wednesday and its third (and final) round of players ranked 10 to 1 on Thursday. But, for now, read on for the two Mavericks players.
Two Dallas Mavericks Players
Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II were the Dallas Mavericks players on ESPN’s Top 100 NBA Players list. Thompson, 34, appeared first on the list at No. 71. He ranked at No. 41 last season, but it’s important to note that he’s on a new team for the first time in his career and has struggled in the preseason.
ESPN sportswriter Tim MacMahon said of the Thompson selection, “(Klay) Thompson slipped 30 spots after averaging just 17.9 points per game and shooting 38.7% from 3-point range last season in what ended up being the Splash Brother’s swan song with the (Golden State) Warriors. As the 34-year-old future Hall of Famer said after joining the Mavs in free agency, Thompson firmly believes he has “a lot of great basketball left” and is eager to prove it while playing for a contender in Dallas. The Mavs hope Thompson’s title experience and three-point shooting are the missing elements needed (for them) to take the final steps to a championship.”
Philadelphia, PA native Lively II, 20, was the other Mavericks player on the list at No. 56. Lively II’s name is far from flashy, but for a second-year player who might not have the ball in his hands for much time, his ranking shows significant credibility in how some “experts” see his ceiling.
MacMahon said of the Lively II selection, “(Dereck) Lively wasn’t on this list a year ago, when he was considered a raw project entering his rookie season. He quickly established himself as an essential part of the Mavs’ core. Lively is a springy pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic and a spectacular finisher (141 dunks, 74.7% from the floor). He is just starting to tap into his immense defensive potential as a rim protector who is comfortable switching onto elite perimeter scorers. At 20 years old, Lively projects as a premier center for years to come.”
First Dallas Mavericks Player
Klay Thompson was the first Dallas Mavericks player on ESPN’s Top 100 NBA Players list. Thompson dropped down 30 spots from around this time last year, but Thompson’s drop-down was perfectly understandable due to his defensive decline, bitter on-court body language, career-low three-point shooting, and various injuries.
Thompson can still achieve a redemption season while playing for (and perhaps winning a fifth NBA title with) the Mavericks. However, Thompson’s recent shortcomings can slightly impact his potential Hall of Fame induction in the future.
Second Dallas Mavericks Player
Dereck Lively II was the second Dallas Mavericks player on ESPN’s Top 100 NBA Players list. Lively II was ahead of players, such as Darius Garland, Cade Cunningham, and Desmond Bane, along with fellow 2023 NBA Draft classmates Brandon Miller and Brandin Podziemski.
Lively II’s ranking was quite high for a second-year player in the NBA. But there’s so much love for Lively II, and for the right reasons. He was a key part of the Mavericks’ success in 2023-24, and he helped anchor a Mavericks defense that went to the 2024 NBA Finals.
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