Klay Thompson signed with the Dallas Mavericks before the 2024-25 NBA campaign. He envisioned teaming up with Luka Dončić to compete for a championship. Instead, Dallas traded the superstar guard before the 2025 trade deadline, leaving Thompson with questions about his future with the franchise.
Klay Thompson’s Time With the Dallas Mavericks Could Be Coming to an End
The Mavericks are now focused on building around Cooper Flagg. They stocked up on more young talent this summer, taking Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio De Larrea in the 2026 NBA Draft. Dallas also bought low on Zaccharie Risacher to take a chance on the No. 1 pick from two years ago. These moves all suggest the franchise wants to make room for young players and focus on the future.
Thompson could be a veteran they move to do just that. Christian Clark of The Athletic wrote about the chances of Dallas trading its sharpshooting veteran.
“At this point, it remains unclear if Klay Thompson – the Mavericks’ leading 3-point shooter in each of the past two seasons – will be back in Dallas for a third year,” Clark wrote. “The Mavericks have explored his trade market but have yet to find a deal, multiple sources with rival teams told The Athletic on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss any potential negotiations. Thompson is owed $17.5 million this season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027.
Thompson’s expiring contract could be a valuable asset for the Mavericks. If they do not find a trade package to their liking this offseason, they can hold onto the five-time All-Star and move him prior to the trade deadline in February. There will likely be several contending teams looking to add wing shooting with a championship pedigree.
At 36 years old, Thompson does not fit the Mavericks’ rebuild timeline. If they cannot move him before the 2027 trade deadline, he would likely sign elsewhere next summer to compete for a championship. If Thompson leaves in free agency, the front office will have mismanaged an opportunity to get something in return for him.
According to Clark, two teams are rumored to be destinations for Thompson.
“My understanding is that Thompson would welcome a return to Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and still owns a home,” he wrote. “The Miami Heat are another team frequently mentioned in NBA circles as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer.”
Clark does not specify which Los Angeles team. However, the Los Angeles Lakers are in a better position to contend than the Los Angeles Clippers, assuming Kawhi Leonard’s move to the Toronto Raptors is finalized.
Thompson would reunite with Dončić on the Lakers and see many open looks as defenses focus on Dončić and Austin Reaves.
The Heat traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer to leap in Eastern Conference contention. While the 10-time All-Star and Bam Adebayo form a lethal duo, Miami still lacks shooting around its two frontcourt stars to create proper spacing.
Thompson’s deadeye 3-point shooting could be a breath of fresh air to give Antetokounmpo and Adebayo the space to slash to the rim.
