Dallas Mavericks: 3 teams that need to trade for Kristaps Porzingis

By Zamir Bueno | Jun 12, 2021

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 21: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to a shot against the Detroit Pistons in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 21, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Kristaps Porzingis could help solve the OKC Thunder frontcourt shooting issues.

The OKC Thunder are a team that struggled from behind the arc during the regular seasons as they were 29th in 3-point percentage, shooting 33.9 percent from behind the arc on 35.1 attempts.

Their shooting struggles were partly related to the frontcourt rotation. The Thunder started Darius Bazley at power forward for most of the regular season. He spent a significant amount of his minutes as floor spacers taking over 41 percent of his shots from behind the arc, averaging 5.2 per game.

At least 69 percent of their threes were via the catch and shoot department, as he averaged 3.6 per game. Unfortunately, Bazley struggled to make threes shooting 28.1 percent on catch and shoots. The catch and shoot struggles were the catalyst in him shooting 29 percent from behind the arc.

Bazley would end up accounting for 24.2 percent of the frontcourt attempts as Thunder’s forward only shot 34.8 percent from behind the arc on 21.5 shots per game. Consequently, they could use Porziņģis as he would give them a tremendous boost in their 3-point shooting.

Furthermore, Porziņģis is still young enough to fit the youth movement the Thunder are currently in, as he will be 26 years at the start of next season.

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