Klay Thompson in a Dallas Mavericks jersey. Golden State Warriors fans may have months to prepare for this, but it’s still going to be really weird when he makes his debut with the team on October 24 against the San Antonio Spurs.
Much has been made of Thompson’s rather unceremonious departure from the Warriors, and the impact it will have on the franchise, both in terms of their identity and the historically excellent shooting that the 5x All-Star provided.
Golden State is much less concerned with how Thompson fits in with the Mavericks, but it will nonetheless be a fascinating subplot to follow as the 34-year-old embarks on an entirely new journey.
Thompson had become far less reliable in his final year with the Warriors, leading to fan frustration and his brief midseason demotion to the bench. The question now is whether those same concerns will persist in Dallas, or whether there will be a rejuvenation in a new environment.
That’s what makes the veteran sharpshooter such an interesting piece for the Mavericks next season, at least according to Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes in a recent article looking at each team’s most important X-factor.
“If he’s willing to accept a diminished role, relying primarily on Luka Dončić’s piecemeal playmaking, Thompson can be a major asset to a Dallas offense that can seem unstoppable at times,” Hughes wrote.
The advantage could be deadly, with Thompson perhaps the most ideal player in the league to take advantage of the defensive focus on Doncic and Kyrie Irving. But as Hughes points out, it forces him to accept a lesser role rather than consistently fight to be the All-Star quality player he was before his injury.
That struggle has led to a less effective version since his return in January 2022, while his defensive ability has understandably dropped significantly over that last stretch. Thompson’s fluctuating impact was defined by the fact that Golden State had a net rating of -0.5 when he was on the floor last season, and a +7.1 when he wasn’t on the floor.
Will that change with the Mavericks? Only time will tell, but it could prove to be the most important factor in determining whether the reigning Western Conference champions can make another deep playoff run next season.
