Klay Thompson Will Be Stellar Complement In Dallas

In a multi-team sign-and-trade deal, Klay Thompson’s 13-year career with the Golden State Warriors ended when he was acquired by the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract. The four-time champion joins the defending Western Conference champions and in the deal, former Mavericks guard Josh Green was sent to the Charlotte Hornets and two second-round picks were sent to the Warriors.

Thompson’s time with Golden State was clearly coming to an end, especially when he was displaced from the starting lineup in favor of a reserve role off the bench in February. The 34-year-old shooting guard will now take on a key role alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on a Mavericks team that made it to the NBA Finals.

Thompson shot 38.7% from three-point range (3.5 made on 9.0 attempts) last season and will benefit from plenty of catch-and-shoot opportunities within Dallas’ offense. Not only can Luka and Kyrie penetrate with ease and open up space on the perimeter, but the lob threats down low will keep opposing defenses pinned down in the post and on the interior. 

Dallas shot 36% from beyond the arc in the playoffs after 36.9% during the regular season, both of which ranked in the middle of the pack. With Green (42.9% three-point in the playoffs), Derrick Jones Jr. (36.9%) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (35.1%) all gone and after PJ Washington (34.8%) struggled in the playoffs, there was a clear and obvious need for three-point shooting. In the NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, Dallas shot just 31.6%.

Thompson’s track record speaks for itself and he’s one of the best shooters in the history of the entire NBA. While he took a bit more of a back seat last season, he still ranked 4th in the NBA in total threes made despite playing 77 games.

Not only that, but now he has a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove his doubters wrong. I think this signing was fantastic and could help Dallas find similar success as last year in a very talented Western Conference. Doncic, Irving, Washington, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber, Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy, Olivier-Maxence Prosper among others, under contract, the team also acquired Quinton Grimes and signed free agent Naji Marshall, bolstering their depth. 

Overall, I think Thompson is a dream signing to add to this core and expect the Mavs to be in contention for an NBA title once again. Dallas has +1100 odds to win the NBA championship at BetMGM and is a +120 favorite to win the Southwest Division (FanDuel) and is +500 to win the West at BetMGM (4th-shortest odds behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves).