Klay Thompson’s Time in Dallas Could Be Short-Lived - and the Lakers Might Be Waiting
Klay Thompson’s Dallas chapter might be closing before it ever really opened. Less than a year after leaving the only NBA home he’d ever known in Golden State, the four-time champion could be on the move again - and the whispers around the league are getting louder.
According to reports, the Mavericks are exploring trade options for Thompson. It’s a surprising development on the surface, but dig a little deeper and it starts to make more sense.
Dallas brought him in hoping he’d be a steady veteran presence and a knockdown shooter alongside Luka Dončić. But the fit hasn’t quite clicked the way either side envisioned.
Thompson, now 35, left the Warriors in 2024 after an iconic 11-season run that included three-point records, unforgettable playoff moments, and a key role in one of the league’s great dynasties. He turned down more money from the Lakers to join Dallas, betting on a chance to compete - and maybe reinvent himself - in a new system. But with the Mavericks sliding in the standings and his role shrinking, Thompson’s future in Dallas suddenly feels uncertain.
“The circumstances have changed since I signed here,” Thompson told reporters. **“Obviously the personnel.
But we still have a very talented team, and at the end of the day, I’m playing to win and nothing’s changed. My goals remain the same.”
**
That’s classic Klay - focused, professional, and still chasing wins. But it’s hard to ignore the numbers: he’s averaging just 10.8 points per game, and his three-point shooting - once his calling card - has dipped to a career-low 35%. For a player known for his efficiency and rhythm, that drop-off is significant, especially on a team that already has ball-dominant stars in Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
The Mavericks owe Thompson $17 million next season, which is a tough pill to swallow if he’s not producing at the level they need. And with Dallas looking to retool around Dončić while staying competitive in the stacked Western Conference, moving Thompson’s contract could open up new possibilities.
Enter the Lakers.
Los Angeles was in the mix for Thompson during free agency, and they may be circling back. The Lakers are sitting near the top of the West with a 19-7 record, and while they’ve been solid overall, their outside shooting remains a weak spot - they rank just 23rd in three-point makes per game. Adding a veteran shooter like Thompson, even one in the twilight of his career, could be the kind of low-risk, high-upside move that pays off in the postseason.
Pairing Thompson with Austin Reaves and LeBron James would give the Lakers another floor spacer and a proven playoff performer - someone who’s been through the wars and still knows how to rise to the moment, even if he’s not the same player he once was.
For Thompson, a move to L.A. could offer a shot at redemption and a return to meaningful basketball in May and June. For the Mavericks, it’s a chance to recalibrate and reshape their roster around their young superstar.
No matter how it plays out, it’s clear that this version of Thompson - still chasing rings, still trying to find his rhythm - isn’t quite finished yet. But his next chapter might be written somewhere else.