The Dallas Mavericks made waves this offseason by bringing in veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson via a sign-and-trade from the Golden State Warriors, a move GM Nico Harrison sees as the “missing piece” for a championship run. After struggling with shooting efficiency in past playoff matchups, the Mavericks believe Thompson’s renowned three-point accuracy and four-time championship experience can be a game-changer alongside stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Thompson, a central figure in the Warriors’ famed “Splash Brothers” duo, brings a stellar reputation but also recent challenges. Injuries and inconsistency impacted his role last season, even leading to an unprecedented benching by Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Yet Dallas is optimistic that Thompson, fully healed, can rediscover his elite form and help the Mavs capture their first title since 2011.
However, Thompson’s preseason debut was rocky. In a 110-96 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, he went scoreless, shooting 0-for-9 from the field and 0-for-6 from deep. Despite this, Mavs fans remain hopeful, knowing his track record: last season, he averaged 17.9 points and shot nearly 39% from three over 77 games with the Warriors.
As the Mavericks prepare to open their season on October 24 against the Spurs, all eyes are on Thompson. If he can find his rhythm, his presence might just elevate Dallas to championship contention.
