Will the Mavs’ fate change for the better with Klay Thompson’s addition? On some level, it might. Having been to Stephen Curry what Scottie Pippen was to Michael Jordan for over 13 years, the shooting guard can now serve the same role under Luka Doncic, improving the offensive prowess by taking some of the load off the Slovenian, along with contributing defensively too. However, does the Thompson-Doncic possess the potential to clinch the Championship title for themselves?

Who better to answer this question than the former Mavs Champion himself? Speaking to reporters at the Night of the Dragon event in Ljubljana, Dirk Nowitzki called Luka Doncic one of the world’s best players and highlighted that pieces are being placed around him to help him be more successful. Despite this, having only won one Championship title himself over his 21-year run in Dallas, Nowitzki knows that it is not easy to get out of a slump.

After losing to the Miami Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals, it wasn’t until five years later that he and his squad were able to reach the last stage again. Therefore, despite bolstering the roster, Dirk does not want Luka Doncic and Co. to get their hopes up too high.

“You don’t just come in and win right away. You have to grow as a player, as a person,” Nowitzki emphasized via Dallas Hoops Journal. “You have to grow with the team. The team needs to get better. It doesn’t happen overnight.”

Klay Thompson is not without post-season experience. He has reached the Finals on 6 occasions and won 4. However, heading to Dallas will be a big change, as it will mark the first time that the player will dawn another team’s colors in his 13-year career. The adjustment period may not yet allow the Splash Brother to be at a Championship-contending level.

The changes in the Mavs roster have also cast doubt amongst others on how far they can go. According to a recent ESPN survey, taking into account the opinion of 18 NBA coaches, team executives, and scouts, the Mavericks received only 2 votes when asked if they can once again become Western Conference Champions.

With over 14 votes, OKC took the lead, while the Wolves took the remaining 2 votes. Despite Luka Doncic and Co. holding a 4-1 record against OKC, the latter trading for Alex Caruso and signing Isaiah Hartenstein has given them more confidence about their future chances.

Taking a realistic approach, Dirk Nowitzki is right to caution his former team to not count the chickens before they hatch. However, many others believe that Klay Thompson’s addition may just be the thing to finally get the Mavericks off their 13-year slump.

Shams Charania predicts Klay Thompson’s fit to be “perfect”

After Klay Thompson’s heartbreaking exit from the Warriors and signing a 3-year, $50 million contract with the Mavs, NBA reporter Shams Charania was quick to hand out his opinion. “When you think about that position Klay Thompson is going to play, I mean he’s just really just filling Tim Hardaway’s role,” Charania said. Serving as the Dallas side’s third-leading scorer right behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Hardaway Jr averaged over 14.4 points during the regular season.

However, his drop in performance during the playoffs may have played a role in him getting traded to Detroit in mid-July. With Thompson already possessing enough post-season experience, he may work out well. “I think Klay is going to fit perfectly there as the 3-man and someone that they’re going to rely on,” Shams continued. “Championship pedigree. So I think they had a big offseason.”

The Dallas Mavericks will have their first preseason game, against the Memphis Grizzles, on October 8. The same will serve as the big test for Klay Thompson, and what the future holds for the franchise.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.