DALLAS, Texas — After reaching the NBA Finals but losing to the Boston Celtics in five games, the Dallas Mavericks have remained motivated to add talent around Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. While Derrick Jones Jr. and Josh Green will play elsewhere during the upcoming season, the front office brought in a group of newcomers, including Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes.

After a disappointing end to a 13-season stint with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson, 34, is embracing a new beginning with the Mavericks. Despite the Warriors gradually embracing younger options on the wing more, Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 77 regular season performances. Signed to a three-year, $50 million contract, he projects as a starter on the wing entering the upcoming season amid Jones’ departure.

“Coming here is just such a fresh start,” Thompson said, while also adding, “Feeling just wanted again, like I bring great value, it just gets me excited to go out there and even work out after this press conference and get shots up. There were times last year when it was tough, where it wasn’t as joyful as it was in the past.

“It’s nice to kind of shed that and have a whole new fresh start, a whole new group of guys to get to know, co-workers, whole new city,” Thompson continued- “It’s really cool, and I’m going to embrace the heck out of this opportunity.”

Thompson, who will wear No. 31, embraces the chance to follow in the footsteps of previous great players who switched teams after moving on from their first team. He also acknowledged that breakups can be challenging emotionally but are sometimes necessary outcomes for both sides.

“Probably a little disappointed at first, but then as time goes on, you have a lot of time to reflect and realize what you did,” Thompson admitted. “They can’t take that away from you as far as the championships. Records are meant to be broken, but the impact you have on a community and all that will forever live, and sometimes breakups are necessary to do what’s right.”

This new opportunity has created a real buzz around the city and on social media. Thompson, indeed, has great things to say about it.

A fresh start has Klay Thompson feeling “rejuvenated” already!

Klay Thompson felt the excitement from the Dallas community about joining the team, which has only added to his excitement about getting involved with the organization. Whether it’s the franchise members, fans around the city, or on the internet, Klay Thompson already felt appreciated, and noted, “The organization showed me so much love, and the fans, whether on the internet or in the street, are very grateful,” Thompson described. “Everyone I’ve met, there’s just a great buzz around the city, especially coming off a championship appearance. Everyone wants to get over that hump. That’s what was so attractive to me: to be someone who can help them win and help these young guys grow. Being in my thirties or at the back end of my career, it’s so special to have this opportunity.”

When evaluating the Mavericks’ outlook, Thompson views the team as having what it takes to win a championship. He relishes having that chance at this stage in his NBA career, as he is accustomed to contending for titles- “I think we’re set up for a great run, and expectations are high, but you got to welcome that. That’s what you want as an athlete,” Thompson said. “You want to have that pressure, and you want to have expectations from the fan base, the city that we want a winner.”

When growing up in Oregon, Thompson also compared what he observed from Scottie Pippen joining the Portland Trail Blazers to him joining the Mavericks. He humbly didn’t want to compare himself to Pippen but saw parallels with him joining a new team at this stage of his career with a real chance to achieve a deep title run. He articulated, “I’m not the first athlete in the NBA to go through this. I did grow up in Portland, and I remember when Scottie Pippen came to the Blazers; that was the biggest day of my life,” Thompson recalled. “I’m not saying I’m Scottie, but they were right there against the Lakers and almost won a chip. I take a lot of inspiration from past athletes and how their careers might have gone astray when they either left the team or joined a new team, and some guys thrive.”

As it stands, Thompson anticipates being “rejuvenated” by joining Dallas. “I look forward to just being rejuvenated here and playing,” he added. There is a lot of good basketball left in the tank.” Moving on shouldn’t be too difficult when joining forces with the type of talents Thompson is set to play alongside. There’s a clear excitement for what lies ahead for a former member of the iconic Splash Brothers duo.

Playing with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving is “very attractive”

A significant draw when considering the Mavericks naturally is the opportunity to play next to Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. As someone accustomed to being tightly guarded off the ball, Klay Thompson views playing next to those two dynamic talents as a significant chance for him to receive more high-quality shots. With the Warriors, he played next to just one electrifying talent, Stephen Curry, who commanded heavy attention. Still, the Mavs boast two massive threats, with Dončić being arguably the best passer in basketball.

“I don’t think you can stick to me as much as you could in the past with guys like Luka and Kai out there,” Thompson said- “That’s what also was very attractive for me.“I’m just excited. I still think I can do what I’ve been able to do, and it’s just about being in the best shape I could possibly be, but I know I can help this team, whether it’s the knowledge I’ve gained or big scoring nights. I just still know I can be a very, very good player in this league.”

Opposing teams will have to make a difficult calculation: whether they want to load up in the paint against Dončić or Irving while leaving Thompson open or stay attached to Thompson and allow a superstar to do what they do best by going to work with the ball in their hands, looking to make a play. On defense, Thompson still believes he can guard effectively despite external criticism about his impact on that end.

“At this point in my career, you still can’t leave me open, and I can guard, and I’m just excited,” Thompson expressed. I still think I could do what I’ve been able to do, and it’s just about being in the best shape I could possibly be. But I know I can help this team, whether it’s the knowledge I’ve gained or big scoring nights. “I just still know I can be a very, very good player in this league,” he added.

When the Mavericks started Jones next to P.J. Washington last season, he was designated the “weak shooter” by the opposition, often leaving him open to rotating the low defender to shrink the floor or flood the strong side. Going from a shooting liability to someone the defense cannot leave open will be a drastic change.

Outside of Dončić and Irving, the Mavericks were very limited regarding consistent options to feature offensively. Thompson presents a knockdown shooting threat and enhances any offense with his ability as a motion shooter in off-ball screening actions, which enables an offense to open up the floor by leveraging his shooting gravity with creativity. He’s also more capable of getting to the rim when curling off pin-downs and can take pull-up jumpers in pick-and-roll more effectively than Hardaway.

Beyond the X’s & O’s draws of joining the Mavericks, Thompson already has a relationship with Irving as two players who entered the NBA in 2011 through the draft. The bond was only strengthened when the two faced off 13 times in Finals games against each other when the Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors were atop the league. Additionally, they played in Team USA together.

“Kyrie and I are good friends. I mean, we came to lead together in 2011. We played on Team USA together twice,” Thompson detailed. “Obviously, we played against each other in the highest stages for many years, and I’ve always been a fan of Kai’s game.”

No longer having to guard Irving is a welcomed outcome for Thompson, who described doing that job with the Warriors as “hell.” He’s excited to see “Uncle Drew” break down the opposition off the dribble.

“Guarding him was hell, so it’s nice to be on the other end of that for once and see other defenders get loose and get shook by him,” Thompson admitted, “That’s going to be a good sight to see.”

It’s not surprising that Thompson revealed that Irving’s influence in the recruiting process was among the many draws to Dallas. During last year’s training camp, Irving hinted at the options available in upcoming free agency. Irving offered an honest account of how he’s been a fit with the Mavericks beyond just the basketball elements, which resonated with Thompson.

“He actually was one of the first people to text me just. How grateful he is to be here and how the city’s embraced them, the organization’s embraced them, especially after what he had to go through,” Thompson recounted. “And I’ve known Kai for a long time, and he’s been super down-to-earth ever since I met him. He is just a very gracious person.

Given how much Thompson respects Irving, he views them as being capable of guiding Dallas to a championship together. “For him to come here and embrace the city and embrace the role he has just inspired me because they were so close to winning the whole thing,” he exclaimed. “I think we can help get them over that hump.”

Dončić was busy representing the Slovenian national team at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece then but texted Thompson to express how excited he was for them to join forces with the Mavericks. Thompson believes they already share a strong sense of mutual respect.

“He texted me saying how excited he is, and I relayed the same message back,” Thompson revealed. “I think there’s definitely a mutual respect there.” Thompson described that his respect for Dončić was heightened by their head-to-head matchup in the 2022 Western Conference Finals, especially with how gracious he was after the Mavericks lost the series when the two exchanged a message with each other on the court. When discussing their potential together, Thompson is encouraged by how Dončić will help his game and vice versa.

I remember seeing him at the end of the West finals in 2022, and I told him just how much I loved his game, How he really elevates his teammates, and the sky’s the limit for his ability. I think that resonated well with him and he was real gracious in defeat. I just appreciate someone who is not afraid of the moment and competes to the end, and Luka fits that bill. I think we’ll be able to bring the best out of each other.”

It’s not surprising that Thompson already has intriguing thoughts about the Mavericks, considering his preparation for ultimately choosing to join the team in free agency.

Klay Thompson studied the Mavericks “knocking on the door” of a Title

It was hard not to notice the Mavericks this past season, considering they achieved an impressive run to the NBA Finals as the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They had to persevere against three 50-win teams while conceding a home-court advantage to begin each series but defeated them before being out-classed by Boston.

“I was watching just as a basketball fan. I saw, ‘Man, I could really help this team.’ They’re right there,” Thompson explained. “They’re maybe a few pieces away. Not big adjustments, but just very little adjustments from getting over the top.”

Klay Thompson made a comparison that Mavericks fans will surely enjoy. He stacked up Dirk Nowitzki, losing his first NBA Finals in 2006 before ultimately winning in 2011 to Dončić, now experiencing the first part of that process—insinuating a belief that the Slovenian superstar will win a championship soon.

“Dirk went through it in his first finals, and Luka did too,” Thompson compared. “So we’re knocking on the door and that’s what really, really got me excited to be here.”

Thompson did his homework, and his intrigue about the Mavericks’ roster goes beyond playing with Dončić and Irving. Klay sees significant potential in the tandem he can form with Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, who were among the most efficient rim rollers in the NBA last season. Thompson compared his potential connection with either big man to the synergy he built with Trayce Jackson-Davis.

“I think just me being out there is going to give them a lot of space to operate. Same with our big men. [Dereck Lively II] and [Daniel Gafford], their ability to roll and finish,” Thompson detailed. “It’s also great; I play well with big men who, like me and Trayce Jackson-Davis, had a great rapport last year because he’s so good at the rim, and I saw the same thing with those two guys.”

A significant element of the Mavericks’ success last season was their heightened defensive execution, which led to their becoming one of the league’s best after the All-Star break before carrying it over into the playoffs.

“Although I’m capable, having great defenders, especially on the wing, just gives me a lot of relief to be able to switch and guard bigs to point guards, and just the versatility of this team defensively, I think, has gotten better this offseason,” Thompson explained. “We’re not afraid of that challenge, and I think that’s what Nico and the rest of the front office saw in us is like these guys compete. As an athlete, skill is important, but that competitiveness, that’s what really puts you over the top.”

While Thompson is one of the greatest shooters in history, the Mavericks view his intangibles as far more than that.

Mavericks intrigued by Klay Thompson’s ‘veteran leadership’ qualities

It’s not just Klay Thompson embracing this new arrangement. The Mavericks feel they could have won the championship had he been on the roster when they attempted to defeat the Celtics before losing the series in five games.

“It was a no-brainer for us, especially after the Finals,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said, “We knew we were a Klay Thompson away.”

Many have naturally focused on the on-court intrigue of adding Thompson to the Mavericks. However, while the organization naturally is excited about those same benefits, the team views him as a necessary leader with championship experience to add to the fold as the team seeks to get over the hump.

“He has experience and veteran leadership skills that he can bring to the team,” said Michael Finley, serving as Mavericks vice president of basketball operations. “The difference is he was a champion going to a different team, and I was a guy trying to get a championship, but the experience in veteran leadership—we do have a commonality there.”

Adding more perimeter shooting threats cannot be understated, particularly when they shot just 31.6% from deep in the Finals, making overcoming Irving’s struggles for most of the series very challenging. There wasn’t enough firepower to compete with the Celtics and space the floor well enough to help Dončić.

“I think every team in the league would love to have more shooting. That’s the way the game is going,” Finley said. “It was very obvious during our playoff runs, especially in the games that we lost, not only in the Finals but in some of the other playoff games, that if we had more shooting, it would give us a better opportunity to win those games.”

Like many in the Mavericks organization, Finley believes the Finals could have gone differently if the team had perimeter shooting capabilities. “I think in the Finals, we saw that in a couple of games, we make a shot here and there; that’s a different series,” Finley surmised.

The proof of concept is already there for the Mavericks with Dončić and Irving as a duo. Lively is also viewed as a threat to leap in his sophomore season, offering further room for improvement for Dallas. Adding Thompson presents one of the premier high-volume three-point shooters in the NBA to enhance each talent further.