Klay Thompson has spoken about his difficult time with the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson signed with the Mavericks hoping to be a perfect fit alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Things took a turn when Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thompson’s Time in Dallas
Thompson stayed with the Mavericks after the trade. However, things worsened with the firing of GM Nico Harrison and the trading of Anthony Davis. According to Thompson, “It’s still awesome being out there … I love the game with all my heart”.
The Mavericks’ current upside is rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. There have been talks about the franchise potentially entering a rebuild, placing the future of veterans like Thompson in uncertainty. The 36-year-old appears to be taking each day as it comes.
Impact of Injuries on Thompson’s Performance
Thompson no longer has the same impact he did with Golden State. Back-to-back catastrophic knee injuries have had an impact. Once a top two-way guard, Klay is now primarily a reserve.
He is averaging a career low in almost every stat category, including playing minutes, points, rebounds, assists, and 3-point efficiency. Thompson has come to terms with the reality.
Uncertain Future for Thompson
With the Mavs far from making the Play-In tournament, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Thompson. With AD gone and Flagg the prime focus of Mavs management, one can predict that Thompson will be shipped to a new destination this summer. If Dallas is looking to undergo a complete revamp after the Doncic disaster, some tough decisions will need to be made.
Klay still has $17 million remaining on his contract before he turns free agent in 2027. It remains to be seen how the front office handles the situation, especially with Irving in the mix. Though Thompson can still contribute in different ways, his salary could potentially pose a hurdle.
There has been a growing narrative about fans wanting to see him return to the Bay Area for one Last Dance.