There are four Dallas Mavericks players featured in the NBA Rank 2024 Top 100. ESPN’s annual list, which ranks the top 100 players across the league, was released this week ahead of the regular season kicking off on Oct. 22. Luka Doncic, who looks to be a serious candidate for MVP entering the season, is the obvious headliner of the group ranked at number two. After winning the Western Conference last season, the Mavericks look to have the most talented and perhaps the deepest team in Doncic’s career thanks to the work of general manager Nico Harrison.

The team had three players featured in last season’s list — the aforementioned Doncic, his running mate Kyrie Irving, and yes you guessed it Grant Williams (he was ranked 97th). Now four projected starters appear in the ranking, in what should be the first season with serious expectations for this era of Mavericks. Here is where the players land:

71. Klay Thompson

It is a testament to the newest Mavericks’ career production that a 2023-24 season in which he averaged 17.9 points while shooting 38.7-percent from three on nine attempts per game, appearing in 77 games, would be a down year and would leave falling 30 spots on this list. Thompson is definitely at the tail end of his career, but he’s made it clear he feels confident that he has productive seasons ahead of him. He may not look to reinvent himself with this new chapter in Dallas. But the hope is that some of the pressure of being a number two like he was with the Golden State Warriors will go away, and free him up to be ultra-productive playing off Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

56. Dereck Lively II

The second year center exploded onto the scene his rookie year. It’s been stated time and time again, but the feeling when the Mavericks drafted Lively was that he could be a good long term piece that will take time to grow into his role. Instead Lively was instant impact and was a large reason the Mavericks were in the NBA Finals. Going from unranked last season to 56 this season speaks to the impression Lively has already made as a defensive anchor and ultra efficient scorer, as well as the expectations for his growth this season.

25. Kyrie Irving

Kyrie crept back up these rankings nine spots, after being ranked 34th last season. Concerns about his availability, both physically and mentally, were warranted entering last year. For the most part he flipped those doubts in his first full season with the Mavs. While he still only appeared in 58 regular season games Irving was dynamic when available, posting efficient averages and being a vocal leader within the locker room. There always feels a possibility that something will give with Irving eventually, but a locked in Kyrie is hard to deny. As the Mavericks become a team to be reckoned with it will be interesting to see how Irving responds to new expectations.

2. Luka Doncic

There weren’t many spots Doncic could move up, but he still did (up two spots) after an ultra successful 2023-24 campaign. Now he enters with the benefit of that momentum it what is likely his best shot to date to receive serious MVP consideration. Luka was able to get some rest this offseason after a short stint of international duty with the Slovenian national team. However we’ve yet to see him in the preseason lead up, as he’s dealt with a leg contusion. Luka has always required a bit of in-season ramp up to get into top speed. To win MVP, and to maintain contender status, the Mavericks even with their depth and talent will need every bit of Luka from Game 1.