After last season’s NBA Finals loss, the Dallas Mavericks knew they needed to add a new powerhouse to support their superstar duo. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, despite being two of the most talented players in the league, couldn’t secure a series win when it counted. To compete with the league’s top teams, they needed an extra spark on the roster—someone who could elevate their offense and create game-changing plays when needed most.
Enter Klay Thompson, a sharpshooting veteran who has proven his talent time and again. Although Thompson had battled injuries during his last years with the Golden State Warriors, his performance when healthy remained exceptional. Known as one of the league’s best long-range shooters, Thompson could bring just the firepower Dallas was missing. Recognizing the need for a fresh weapon, the Mavericks’ front office stepped up, sparing no expense to land Thompson in an effort to boost their title hopes.
Thompson’s impact was immediate. In the opening game of the 2024-2025 season, he delivered a remarkable 22 points, with most of his scoring coming from three-point shots. His ability to drain threes at critical moments gives Dallas a major advantage, instantly changing the dynamic on the floor and putting pressure on opposing defenses.
Luka Doncic, Dallas’s cornerstone player, couldn’t hide his excitement about playing alongside a shooter of Thompson’s caliber. After their season opener, Doncic shared with reporters just how transformative Thompson’s presence has been. Speaking to reporter Joey Mistretta, Doncic admitted that Thompson’s shooting range adds a new layer to the Mavericks’ offense, making life much easier for everyone on the team, including him.
With Thompson commanding attention from defenses on the perimeter, Doncic and Irving have more freedom to create opportunities within the paint. The spacing Thompson provides by drawing defenders out to the three-point line gives Doncic and Irving new chances to exploit mismatches and find scoring opportunities. This newly-formed trio may be in its early stages, but the chemistry already looks promising.
While some predicted that it would take time for Doncic, Irving, and Thompson to fully gel, their synergy in the season opener hints that they’re already in sync. For Mavericks fans, it’s an exciting sign of things to come. If Thompson can stay healthy, his contributions might just be what Dallas needs to make a serious playoff push and return to the Finals with a shot at redemption.
