The Mavericks wrapped up their second straight non-playoff season Sunday night, and Klay Thompson‘s time with the organization may be nearing an end, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News writes in a subscriber-only piece. Thompson has one season remaining at nearly $17.5MM on the three-year contract he signed when he decided to leave Golden State in the summer of 2024, but he’s no longer an obvious fit on a rebuilding team.
The Mavs were coming off an NBA Finals appearance when Thompson made his free agent decision, and he was looking forward to continuing that success by teaming up with Luka Doncic. The shocking Doncic trade last season and the subsequent emergence of rookie Cooper Flagg as the franchise centerpiece may result in the 36-year-old Thompson being traded to a contending team this summer.
“I’m not sure,” Thompson responded Sunday when asked if he expects to still be with the Mavericks next season. “I’m under contract so I do, but I’ve definitely learned in my time in Dallas that things can change on a dime.”
Curtis notes that Thompson remained productive this season, averaging 11.7 PPG in 69 games, mostly in a reserve role, while shooting 38.3% from three-point range. He hit four-three pointers in Sunday’s win over Chicago, giving him more than 200 in a season for the 11th time in his career.
Thompson’s future won’t be decided until Dallas hires its next general manager, but he’s happy to still be playing no matter where he winds up.
“I have been very grateful to be here and to make it through the season healthy,” Thompson said. “I know my years are numbered going forward so every night in an NBA jersey, I take full advantage of it.”
There’s more from Dallas:
- Flagg’s remarkable rookie season ended early on Sunday when he was forced out of the game with an ankle injury late in the first quarter, Curtis adds in a separate story. Flagg scored 10 points in 10 minutes before departing and averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the year. He’s expected to finish first or second in a tight Rookie of the Year race with Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and he’s done it at a high level with a smile,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He enjoys the game. He wants to win. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great player to coach. … We’re seeing a historic rookie season. It’s fan appreciation night. We have the best fans, but we also have one of the best players in the world present at the age of 19 and the future.”
- Rookie point guard Ryan Nembhard, who had his two-way contract converted to a standard deal last month, also looks like part of the future in Dallas. He closed out the season with 23 assists on Sunday, setting a new franchise record for a regulation-length (ie. non-overtime) contest, according to the Mavericks (Twitter link). The Mavs hold a $2.2MM team option on Nembhard for next season.
- Dallas gained a lot of financial flexibility by trading Anthony Davis to Washington in February, Bobby Marks of ESPN states in his offseason wrapup. The Mavericks won’t have cap space this summer, but by escaping the apron they’ll be able to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception and the bi-annual exception. They’re currently about $38MM away from the luxury tax and $45MM below the first apron. Marks points to Dereck Lively II, Max Christie and Naji Marshall as extension candidates for the summer.
Something tells me Klay wants to go back to the play in warriors for a final ride
It would be cool though if klay went to the spurs or hornets
Trade him to his dad’s team
So….the play in is irrelevant? I wonder how many other teams wish they were as irrelevant.
@Larry
He probably meant “play with” Warriors but yeah…”play in” isn’t anything to aspire too. no one eclectic them to do anything this playoff run.
possssssibly
Teams actively avoid reaching for the play-in. It’s a terrible spot to be in – not good enough to compete, not bad enough for a high draft pick.
Mavericks should Draft Mikal Brown, trade Gafford to the Bulls for Tre Jones, straight up.
Mavericks get a floor general for their 2nd unit who is underrated. Bulls get a big that helps them protect the cup. Salaries wise, Jones is $8M and Gafford is $17M. Think it helps both teams futures without giving up meaningful draft compensation. Only thing is would the new front office be okay absorbing Gafford’s contract which is $18M in 2027-28 and 2028-29 at age 29 and 30?
@Raz
It could be close. The top 5 guards (Peterson, Flemings, Wagler, Brown Jr and Acuff Jr) need to pass thru 5 teams that could use a PG upgrade. The Wizards (could change if they extend Trae), Brooklyn, Sacramento, Memphis (if they decide to move Morant) and Atlanta might take all 5 off the board before the Mavs pick.
Also depends on if Mavericks stay at their current draft spot. We won’t know the final draft order until May 10th sadly lol.
Klay and Bron to the Warriors…what could go wrong.
Defense optional
Naji, PJ, Gafford, and Klay should all be on the block.
They can’t afford to have poor shooters around Coop and Kyrie if they actually want to contend. They may end up drafting a PG based on where the pick.
The PJ contract was not a good one, will be a tough sell. But expiring on Klay and positive value on Naji. Gafford has I’d say neutral value and least likely to get moved bc they basically need Lively to stay healthy which is doubtful.
They don’t have much draft capital to wheel and deal tho. Going to be tough sledding if they don’t land a top-3 pick.
Trade Trade Trade. Draft extremely young(18-19). Keep Marshall because Flagg likes having him around. Start building around Flagg. If Dallas wins a championship eventually then everything was worth it
Keep Nembhard, Lively, Marshall, Tyler Smith, Poulakidas, Max Christie, Cisse and the prodigal son Dwight Powell. Let everyone else walk
Trade Irving, Klay Thompson, Gafford, Caleb Martin and PJ Washington for good draft picks and expiring contacts
Draft a young PG,SG,PF,C 18-19