The Thunder have a total of about 30M salary space this summer, ranking among the top five in the league.had the capital to bid for a star player, but the Thunder already had a very complete system. Recruiting another star might disrupt the original chemical effect, so the uniform team decided to make minor repairs to the existing lineup and offered 87M for 3 years. The contract includes Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein, who shined last season.
After the Knicks traded Mikal Bridges and the team’s salary approached the wealthy tax line, the outside world expected that it would be difficult for the Knicks to keep Hartenstein. According toAccording to a survey conducted by Nick writer Fred Katz of “The Athletic”, Hartenstein’s average annual salary in his next contract should be between 15M and 22.5M.in the end the Thunder offered a higher bid, bet almost all the remaining salary space on him, and successfully poached Hartenstein.
If Alex Caruso is hailed as the Thunder’s Andre Iguodala, then Hartenstein is probably like Andrew Bogut and Zaza Pachulia, the piece of puzzle the Thunder lack in the penalty area.
Last season, Mitchell Robinson was injured and assigned to the starting role. Hartenstein seized the opportunity to show the value of a versatile long man.On the defensive end, his PR value in the defensive comprehensive indicator D-EPM is 99, and the difference between the actual defensive shooting percentage and the expected shooting rate at the basket (Rim dFG% vs Expected) PR value is 98; on the offensive end, his throwing shooting percentage PR value is 98、Ranked second in the league in offensive rebound rate(At least 75 games played). also,He is also the only three players in the league to reach the standard of “85 interceptions + 85 blocks”, and the other two were selected to the annual defensive first team.respectively Anthony Davis and Victor Wembanyama.
Although the Thunder’s starting center last season was Chet Holmgren, they sometimes deployed the twin towers with backup center Jaylin Williams, especially in the second round of the playoffs when facing the Mavericks, who had deep depth in the penalty area, Hartenstein compared Jaylin Williams. It is obviously an upgrade, and with Hartenstein’s rim protection, Chet Holmgren’s wide defensive coverage can be fully utilized, just like the Grizzlies used Steven Adams to unleash the defensive potential of Jaren Jackson Jr. a few years ago.
In addition, the Thunder also signed a 4-year 48M contract extension with Isaiah Joe, who played better and better last season, and a 5-year 47M contract extension with Aaron Wiggins. In fact, the Thunder could have owned them for one year at a low price, but the front office decided to reject their original team option of around 2M and change their contracts in advance to prevent them from becoming poaching targets for other teams next year.
Defeated in the final due to poor outside performance But is it worth it for the Mavericks to sacrifice defense for three-pointers?
Since there has been no progress in contract extension negotiations between the Warriors and Klay Thompson throughout the season, news came out before the free market opened that he might leave the team, and he also reached an agreement with the Mavericks on the second day of the market. In order to complete the sign-and-trade of a three-year, 50M agreement that includes a player option in the final year, the Mavericks sent young swingman Josh Green to the Hornets and gave the Warriors two second-round picks (2025 & 2031).
One of the main reasons for the Mavericks’ failure in the championship game was the lack of outside firepower. They ranked third in the league in three-pointers made during the regular season. However, among the main rotation members in the championship series, only Green shot more than 40% from three-point range, and the rest of the players made three consecutive three-pointers. Less than Chengdu. Furthermore, in the first three games of the championship, the Mavericks took less than 27 outside shots. Compared with the 39.5 shots that ranked second in the league during the regular season, there is a huge difference. This also shows that if the Mavericks want to win the championship gold cup, the quality and quantity of outside shooting need to be improved. This is one of the main reasons why they hired Thompson.
Thompson, who does not take possession of the ball and has no blind spots in his shooting position and pattern, is highly compatible with the style of Mavericks twin stars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.Even if his defense has deteriorated somewhat due to injuries and age, he is still one of the sharpest shooters in the league, according toStatMamba TweetsPointed out that he has made 430 C&S three-pointers in the past two years, ranking first in the league. In addition, his three-point shooting percentage from C&S, corner, gap, wide gap and pull-up jumpers are all above 40%.
According to statistics from Second Spectrum, Thompson’s three-point shooting percentage last season was 38.7%, ranking tenth among the 26 players who took at least 500 attempts, and ranked sixth in the difficulty of taking at least 500 attempts.Based on Second Spectrum’s quantitative shot quality measurement standardsconsidering his shooting position, shooting method and distance from the defender, the expected three-point shooting rate of an average shooter is only 34%, which also shows how outstanding Thompson’s shooting ability is.
Thompson is also a starter and substitute. He played 77 games with the Warriors last season, 14 of which came as a substitute. He averaged 19.8 points, ranking second among bench players in the league, and averaged 4.2 three-pointers per game. He is the top substitute. It is worth noting that these two statistics, as well as his shooting measurements, are better than when he was a starter. Considering the balance of the overall lineup, the Mavericks coaching staff may consider turning him into a full-time substitute.
sfarsit articol
The Thunder have a total of about 30M salary space this summer, ranking among the top five in the league. They had the financial resources to pursue a star player, but the Thunder already had a well-established system. Adding another star could disrupt their existing chemistry, so the team decided to make minor adjustments to their current lineup and offered Hartenstein an 87M contract over three years. The contract includes Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein, who had a strong performance last season.
Following the Knicks’ trade of Mikal Bridges and their salary approaching the luxury tax line, many speculated that it would be difficult for the Knicks to retain Hartenstein. According to a survey by “The Athletic” writer Fred Katz, Hartenstein’s average annual salary in his next contract was projected to be between 15M and 22.5M. Ultimately, the Thunder offered a higher bid, committing almost all their remaining salary cap space to secure him, and successfully signed Hartenstein.
If Alex Caruso is considered the Thunder’s Andre Iguodala, then Hartenstein likely resembles Andrew Bogut and Zaza Pachulia, filling the void the Thunder lacked in the paint.
Last season, Mitchell Robinson was injured and thrust into the starting role. During this time, Hartenstein capitalized on the opportunity to demonstrate his value as a versatile big man. Defensively, his player rating in the defensive efficiency metric D-EPM is 99, and his difference between actual defensive field goal percentage and expected field goal percentage at the rim (Rim dFG% vs Expected) player rating is 98; offensively, his shooting percentage player rating is 98. Additionally, he ranked second in the league in offensive rebound rate (with at least 75 games played). He is also one of only three players in the league to achieve the “85 steals + 85 blocks” milestone, with the other two being Anthony Davis and Victor Wembanyama, both of whom were selected to the annual All-Defensive First Team.
Although the Thunder’s starting center last season was Chet Holmgren, they sometimes utilized a twin-tower lineup with backup center Jaylin Williams, particularly during the second round of the playoffs when facing the Mavericks, who had strong depth in the paint. Compared to Jaylin Williams, Hartenstein is a clear upgrade. His rim protection allows Chet Holmgren to maximize his defensive range, similar to how the Grizzlies used Steven Adams to unlock the defensive potential of Jaren Jackson Jr. a few years ago.
In addition, the Thunder also signed a 4-year 48M contract extension with Isaiah Joe, who showed continuous improvement last season, and a 5-year 47M contract extension with Aaron Wiggins. The Thunder could have kept them for one more year at a lower price, but the front office decided to decline their original team option of around 2M and proactively renegotiate their contracts to prevent them from becoming targets for other teams next year.
Defeated in the Finals due to poor outside shooting But is it worth it for the Mavericks to sacrifice defense for three-pointers?
With no progress made in contract extension negotiations between the Warriors and Klay Thompson throughout the season, reports surfaced before free agency began that he might depart the team. On the second day of free agency, he reached an agreement with the Mavericks. To finalize the sign-and-trade deal, which included a three-year, 50M agreement with a player option in the final year, the Mavericks sent young swingman Josh Green to the Hornets and gave the Warriors two second-round picks (2025 & 2031).
One of the primary reasons for the Mavericks’ failure in the championship game was the lack of outside scoring. During the regular season, they ranked third in the league in three-pointers made. However, among the main rotation players in the championship series, only Green shot over 40% from three-point range, while the remaining players struggled to maintain consistent three-point shooting. Moreover, in the first three games of the championship, the Mavericks attempted less than 27 outside shots. This represents a significant drop from the 39.5 attempts per game, which ranked second in the league during the regular season, underscoring the need for improvement in both the quantity and quality of their three-point shooting if the Mavericks want to contend for a championship. This is one of the main motivations behind their acquisition of Thompson.
Thompson, who is a catch-and-shoot specialist with no blind spots in his shooting range and form, seamlessly complements the Mavericks’ twin stars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. While his defense may have declined somewhat due to injuries and age, he remains one of the most lethal shooters in the league. As StatMamba tweets highlighted, he has made 430 C&S three-pointers in the past two years, ranking first in the league. Additionally, his three-point shooting percentage from C&S, corner, gap, wide gap, and pull-up jumpers consistently exceeds 40%.
According to Second Spectrum statistics, Thompson’s three-point shooting percentage last season was 38.7%, placing him tenth among the 26 players who attempted at least 500 shots. He also ranked sixth in shot difficulty among those who attempted at least 500 shots. Based on Second Spectrum’s quantitative shot quality measurement standards, considering his shooting position, method, and distance from the defender, the expected three-point shooting percentage for an average shooter is only 34%. This further emphasizes Thompson’s exceptional shooting talent.
Thompson can be effective as both a starter and a role player. Last season with the Warriors, he played 77 games, starting 14 of them. He averaged 19.8 points, ranking second among bench players in the league, and averaged 4.2 three-pointers per game. He is a top-tier bench scorer. It is worth noting that these two statistics, along with his shooting metrics, are better than when he was a starter. Given the balance of their overall roster, the Mavericks coaching staff may consider making him a full-time reserve.
The Thunder’s Big Bet on Hartenstein and the Mavericks’ Defensive Sacrifice for Thompson
OKC’s Additions: Bolstering the Roster for Future Success
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been quietly building a promising young core, and this offseason they made some key additions to further solidify their roster. The most notable move was the signing of former Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million contract.
While the Thunder had the financial flexibility to target a star player, they felt confident in their existing system and opted for a more strategic approach. Hartenstein, who had a breakout season with the Knicks, brings a valuable skill set:
- Rim Protection and Defensive Versatility: Hartenstein’s defensive presence will be a welcome addition to the Thunder’s lineup, especially alongside Chet Holmgren. His high defensive impact metrics show his ability to anchor the paint and disrupt opposing offenses.
- Offensive Rebounding Prowess: Hartenstein’s high offensive rebounding rate, ranking second in the league last season, will boost the Thunder’s second-chance scoring opportunities.
The Thunder also secured the future of two young players with contract extensions:
- Isaiah Joe: Signed a 4-year, $48 million extension, showcasing his development and potential as a sharpshooter.
- Aaron Wiggins: Signed a 5-year, $47 million extension, recognizing his growth and contributions on both ends of the court.
These moves demonstrate the Thunder’s commitment to building a sustainable and competitive team, focusing on long-term success rather than short-term gratification.
The Mavericks’ Gamble on Thompson: A Calculated Risk
The Dallas Mavericks, on the other hand, have entered a win-now mode, making a bold move to acquire Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors. This decision was driven by the need to improve their outside shooting and create a more dynamic offense.
Here’s a look at the gamble the Mavericks took by acquiring Thompson:
- Adding Firepower: Thompson, despite his age and injury history, remains one of the most dangerous shooters in the league. He excels in catch-and-shoot opportunities and adds a different dimension to the Mavericks’ offense.
- Offensive Versatility: Thompson’s shooting and playmaking ability perfectly complements the skillset of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, creating a potent offensive trio.
- Defensive Question Marks: While Thompson’s shooting is undeniable, his defensive capabilities have diminished in recent years. The Mavericks will have to navigate this trade-off and find a way to balance his offensive contributions with potential defensive liabilities.
The Mavericks’ willingness to send away Josh Green and two second-round picks highlights their confidence in Thompson’s ability to elevate their championship aspirations. Time will tell if this move will lead to immediate success or create a ripple effect throughout their roster.
- Klay Thompson’s Shooting Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| C&S Threes Made (Past Two Years) | 430 |
| C&S Three-Point Percentage (Past Two Years) | 40+ % |
| Corner Three-Point Percentage (Past Two Years) | 40+ % |
| Gap Three-Point Percentage (Past Two Years) | 40+ % |
| Wide Gap Three-Point Percentage (Past Two Years) | 40+ % |
| Pull-Up Jumper Three-Point Percentage (Past Two Years) | 40+ % |
| Three-Point Percentage (Last Season) | 38.7 % |
| Second Spectrum Shot Quality Measurement | 34% |
Thompson’s Impact: Thompson’s shooting skills, particularly his prowess in catch-and-shoot situations, will provide a significant boost to the Mavericks’ offense, especially during crunch time. His shooting range and ability to knock down shots from various angles will create more space for Dončić and Irving to operate. However, the Mavericks will have to find ways to compensate for Thompson’s defensive limitations.