Last offseason, the Dallas Mavericks signed sharpshooter Klay Thompson to a three-year, $50 million contract in a multi-team sign-and-trade. The acquisition was a great fit for the Mavericks, who lacked shooting in their 2024 NBA Finals run, and for Thompson, who wanted to leave a struggling Warriors squad for a title contender and pursue his fifth ring. Thompson averaged 14.0 points per game on 39 percent shooting from beyond the arc in his first season as a Maverick.
Nico Harrison's Luka Doncic trade this season radically altered the construction of this Mavericks team. Once a team built around a lethal guard tandem with a generational star entering his prime, the Mavericks now have a team that prioritizes defense at the expense of shot creation and making thanks to Harrison. Kyrie Irving is one of the league's all-time great shot creators, but he is 33 years old and will likely miss opening day next season after he tore his ACL in March (assuming Harrison and company sign him this summer if he opts out). To make matters worse, Dallas traded a budding Quentin Grimes for Caleb Martin, who has disappointed as a Maverick.
Thompson had a solid season for the Mavs last season, scoring his performance as a "B" grade. However, Thompson's role will be significantly more important next season with the roster turnover and Irving's injury. He will be one of the only consistent shooters on the team to start the season, and even when Irving returns, his role as a shooter will remain increased.
Thompson must channel his 2022 self if Mavericks want to survive
Jason Kidd will have to find a way to get Thompson more involved next season; last season was his lowest-scoring season since his rookie year. He weaponized his shooting talent as a Warrior through off-ball actions and timely cuts. This trait, combined with Steph Curry's on-ball brilliance, was the offensive foundation for four NBA titles in the Bay.
Kidd has an opportunity to recreate this offensive system, with the 2022 Warriors roster as the blueprint. Like next year's Mavericks, the 2022 Warriors roster had limited shooting talent, regularly starting two non-shooters in Draymond Green and Kevon Looney.
Coach Steve Kerr used the non-shooters as offensive hubs for dribble handoffs for the shooting threats. The constant threat of a quick Thompson three forced defenders to guard the non-shooters at the perimeter, which opened up the paint for the rest of the team. Kidd should replicate this offensive system by pairing Thompson's dynamic shooting with the size and inside ability of Naji Marshall, Derek Lively II, and P.J. Washington.
Thompson's shooting will be a huge X-factor for the Mavericks next season. The lack of proven and consistent shooting talent on the roster has forced him into a larger role than expected. If hhe is more involved as a shooter next season without sacrificing his efficiency, the Mavericks' offense will have the firepower necessary to make a playoff run.
If Thompson cannot rediscover his old form, the season could be over before Irving even sees the floor.
