Klay Thompson didn’t come to Dallas just to shoot threes. The former Golden State Warriors star, brought in through a six-team sign-and-trade in 2024, has stepped into a role that few players can authentically claim: the steady veteran guiding a franchise prodigy
And he sees something familiar in rookie sensation Cooper Flagg; familiar enough that he’s comparing himself to Byron Scott during Kobe Bryant’s teenage years. After Flagg’s historic explosion in Los Angeles, Thompson’s words suddenly carry even more weight.
Klay Thompson Embraces Veteran Role to Guide Cooper Flagg
Thompson has embraced the Mavericks as a mentor as much as a scorer. And after Flagg’s stunning 35-point blitz against the Los Angeles Clippers, he made it clear he sees his role as bigger than just spacing the floor.
“I’m not saying he’s going to be Kobe, but I remember this clip of Byron Scott looking in the camera talking about how great Kobe’s going to be when he was 18 years old,” Thompson said, according to Dallas News. “I feel like B-Scott sometimes. The old, wise veteran that has the future of the franchise to my side. It’s pretty cool to be a part of, and we’re all going to be witnesses to what Cooper Flagg is going to do for a long time.”
On Saturday night in Los Angeles, Flagg delivered the kind of performance that earns those comparisons. The 2025 No. 1 pick erupted for 35 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and just three turnovers, running the Mavs’ offense with poise far beyond his age.
And with that, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 or more in a game, beating LeBron James’ record by five days.
He did it without relying on the three-point shot. Just isolation brilliance against a Clippers team that looked flat, outmatched, and at 5–15, miles away from the energy Flagg brought to the floor.
Thompson also contributed, scoring 23 points, along with three rebounds and an assist, showcasing the smooth rhythm that earned him four championships in Golden State.
For Jason Kidd’s unpredictable Mavericks, the win was a rare sigh of relief. Coming off a frustrating loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, they desperately needed something to spark belief. The 35-point masterclass from Flagg did just that.
The Mavs improved to 6–15, not exactly celebration territory, but a victory like this can shift energy inside a locker room. It can steady a team that’s been wobbling for weeks. And it can validate the investment made in a franchise cornerstone that continues to shine brighter with each game.
The Mavericks return to the court on Monday, Dec. 1, when they face the Denver Nuggets.