The Dallas Mavericks made a significant front office decision on Tuesday morning by firing general manager Nico Harrison. And there could change coming to the roster as well, as the team has limped out to a 3-8 start and have fallen short of early-season expectations.
There are a few names to keep an eye on as potential candidates for a trade. One of them is Klay Thompson, who is struggling mightily out of the gate, and could find himself in a new home at some point in the coming months.
Here are three reasons why the Mavericks should look to trade the veteran shooting guard:
1. Thompson’s Struggles & Overall Team Fit
Thompson’s on-court performance and overall fit have slipped noticeably. Coming off multiple major injuries, Thompson hasn’t been the efficient sharpshooter he once was, with his shooting percentages dipping sharply in limited minutes. He is shooting an abysmal 31.4% from the field overall, including 26.7% from deep on six attempts per game, and his average of 7.4 points is more than 5 fewer than his previous career-low.
The Mavericks originally added Thompson on a three-year deal believing his veteran spacing and playoff experience would complement its stars. But as the roster and circumstances have shifted, especially after the departure of Luka Doncic, his skill set no longer meshes as cleanly with what the team needs on both ends of the floor. In turn, he is averaging the fewest on-court minutes that he has in his 13 healthy NBA season.
2. Mavericks Financial Situation
There are financial and asset-management factors that make a trade appealing. Thompson’s contract carries significant weight for a player whose impact has declined, and the cost may outweigh the benefit if his role continues to shrink. Moving him could open pathways for the Mavericks to create more cap flexibility, reposition their payroll, or acquire younger players and draft capital.
Thompson is in the second of a three-year deal that is set to pay him an average of $17 million over the next two seasons, and the production no longer matches the money.
3. Thompson’s Potential Unhappiness With The Franchise
This “reason” for a trade is more about Klay Thompson himself than the Mavericks team. When making his decision during free agency in 2024, the idea of playing alongside Doncic and Kyrie Irving was the ultimate factor in Thompson choosing Dallas. But that notion changed after just a few months with the shocking trade last January, and while he hasn’t publicly expressed unhappiness, it is likely that he would accept a trade out of town. A parting of ways may not have to be forced upon him, but would likely be mutually beneficial for both sides.
