In his first game as a Maverick, the 34-year-old Thompson went for 22 points, seven rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes in Dallas' season-opening 120-109 win over the Spurs on Thursday night. In the process, he made six 3-pointers, a Mavericks record for a player making his franchise debut. He didn't commit a turnover. He defended.

Such is why a noted symbolism exists, poetry even, in Thompson being a Maverick. This choice he made, choosing to sign with Dallas, feels a bit like a low-percentage heave, a hoist with as much risk of missing as it does splashing triumphantly.