Klay Thompson says the next phase of his career is all about putting himself in position for one more real run.
The veteran guard/forward, who has been the subject of both trade and buyout speculation this offseason, made clear on a Twitch stream with PlaqueBoyMax that his focus is on chasing another title opportunity. Thompson is in the final season of his contract, which will pay him $17.5MM in 2026/27.
“ I want to compete for a championship, not necessarily win one, but … have the chance to go and try and get another one,” Thompson said. “ I want to play a role on a team (that can make a deep playoff run).
Whether it’s this season or next season. That’s really my only goal.”
There’s also been a notable change on the sideline in Dallas, and Dusty May gave some insight into how that came together in an interview with CJ Moore of The Athletic. May said he was first contacted about the Mavericks’ head coaching job when new general manager Mike Schmitz called him on May 24 to ask about the Michigan trio of Morez Johnson Jr. (Mavs), Yaxel Lendeborg (Golden State) and Aday Mara (Oklahoma City), all of whom were selected late in the lottery.
May said he had just gotten back from a meeting with fellow Big Ten coaches about the state of college basketball when the call came in. “ I was so excited for Big Ten meetings, like ‘we’re going to find some solutions,’” May told The Athletic this week.
“ I go there and I was just like, ‘Oh my God, nothing’s getting fixed. Ever.’
“
From there, May said the appeal of the Dallas job grew quickly. He pointed to Cooper Flagg, president Masai Ujiri and Schmitz as reasons he was drawn to the position, and said he had long wanted a chance to coach in the NBA. The administrative side of college coaching also played a part in his decision, since it pulled him away from the part of the job he enjoys most.
“ I just spent so much more of my time doing everything but coaching,” he said.
When Moore asked whether he could imagine returning to the NCAA someday, May answered with a laugh: “ I hope not, because that would mean I did sh-y here,” May said, laughing. “ I’d like to win and stay.”
Dallas has had a packed offseason overall, with changes in the front office and on the bench, plus several roster moves. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Zach Kram, Ben Golliver and Dean Oliver went through the summer’s changes, highlighted by the addition of No. 9 overall pick Johnson, and also looked ahead to the season to come.
In Other News...
Don Nelsons Passing Brings Back The Mavericks Era Fans Still Debate
Don Nelsons death at 86 has stirred up more than memories in Dallas, where a recent celebration of life drew together a wide circle of people tied to the Mavericks. For fans, it was a reminder of how central Nelson was to the franchises identity, first as a coach and later as general manager, helping shape eras that still get argued over whenever the teams history comes up.
Mark Cubans long and complicated relationship with the Nelson family is part of why those conversations remain so lively. The former Mavericks owner has been involved in lawsuits with Don Nelson and Donnie Nelson, and his sale of the team to Patrick Dumont in November 2023 only added another layer to a franchise history that still carries old loyalties, old grudges and plenty of unfinished business. [Read more 🡒]
Max Christie Faces A Mavericks Test That Could Shape The Backcourt
Max Christie is heading into his second season in Dallas with a little more spotlight than most young guards get, and for good reason. Acquired in the Luka Doncic trade, he showed enough defensive promise last season to make the Mavericks think there is something to build on, especially as they look to firm up the backcourt around Kyrie Irving's return from ACL surgery.
The challenge now is turning flashes into reliability. Christie still has to prove he can handle perimeter assignments at a higher level, and the Mavericks need that growth to ease the load on Irving while giving the roster a sturdier defensive foundation in the backcourt. How he responds could also go a long way in determining where he fits in Dallas beyond this season. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Just Landed A Tyrese Haliburton Game Fans Will Circle
The NBAs 2026-27 schedule has already given Pacers fans a few dates to circle, with Indiana lined up for nationally televised meetings against the Knicks, 76ers and Clippers as the league starts mapping out what could be a high-profile season around Tyrese Haliburtons comeback. The buzz around those games has only grown because Haliburton is expected to return from his torn Achilles next season, putting a spotlight on when and where his first steps back onto an NBA court will come.
For all the anticipation around Indianas opener and the broader schedule release, the choice of venue for that return has also become part of the conversation. Some expected the moment to come at home and draw the full weight of a building buzzing for its star, but the leagues plan has taken a different route, leaving one of the most watched dates on the calendar set away from Indianapolis and adding an extra layer to the wait. [Read more 🡒]