The Dallas Mavericks made a significant move earlier this week by acquiring Klay Thompson in a sign-and-trade deal, marking one of the most impactful transactions in the franchise’s history.
Seeking to enhance their shooting capabilities, the Mavericks secured one of the greatest shooters in NBA history by signing Thompson. Additionally, a day prior, they bolstered their roster by signing Naji Marshall.
Initially, the Mavericks aimed to sign Derrick Jones Jr. as their top offseason priority. However, due to Jones Jr. switching agents at a critical juncture, the team pivoted to signing Marshall and pursuing the Thompson sign-and-trade.
Dallas Mavericks Need an Elite Point-of-Attack Defender Badly
Despite acquiring Thompson, the Mavericks still face a significant gap in their roster, particularly after Jones Jr. signed with the Clippers.
The team lacks an elite point-of-attack defender akin to Jones Jr. With just one open roster spot and limited cap space, addressing this need poses a challenge.
While Quentin Grimes, acquired in the Tim Hardaway Jr. trade, is expected to bolster their defense, the Mavericks still lack a defensive anchor like Jones Jr. at the point of attack. Thompson, once an elite defender, has seen his defensive prowess wane due to injuries.
This issue has not received much attention, but it could become more pressing if the Mavericks fail to secure an elite perimeter defender with their remaining cap space.
There is no doubt that the Mavericks have improved this offseason, and adding Thompson to an already formidable roster will provide a significant boost. However, the absence of Jones Jr.’s lockdown defense will be a notable loss.
The Mavericks might consider signing someone like Dennis Smith Jr., known for his elite defense, as a potential solution. Despite his limited offensive game, his defensive skills could compensate and be the missing piece to propel Dallas to another deep playoff run.
While finding a defender of Jones Jr.’s caliber on the free agency market may be difficult, prioritizing defense for the final roster spot remains crucial.