With high expectations after an NBA Finals run last season, the Dallas Mavericks have plenty of weapons to lean on entering a new year.

How many of their weapons rank among the league’s top 100 players? ESPN started evaluating that Tuesday.

Ahead of the league’s regular-season tip-off next week, ESPN unveiled the first portion of its NBA Rank countdown. Going from Nos. 100-51, Dallas was represented on the list by a well-known veteran and a rising frontcourt member.

Coming in at No. 71 was sharpshooter Klay Thompson. Already owning a reputation as one of the NBA’s all-time best shooters, Thompson is a constant presence on lists like these.

Entering a new era in Dallas, Thompson slipped from the 41st spot in last year’s rankings after a tough 2023-24 season. He posted 17.9 points for a Warriors squad that went 46-36 and finished 10th in the West. Thompson aims to be a key contributor alongside the backcourt duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

The next Maverick on the list is generating a fair share of buzz after an impressive display in his rookie year.

Center Dereck Lively II came in at 56th. This is his first appearance in the rankings, earning his spot after averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 2023-24.

As the season went on and Lively became more comfortable with his surroundings, the young center earned praise from multiple members of the Mavericks organization. Lively, 20, should take another step forward in Year 2.

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