Klay Thompson Embraces Mavericks’ System as Team Eyes Championship Run

Klay Thompson joins the Mavericks, adapting to Luka Dončić's pick-and-roll system, adding elite shooting and experience to Dallas' championship pursuit.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks kicked off their Media Day with an unmistakable buzz surrounding their prized offseason acquisition: Klay Thompson. After a storied 13-season career with the Golden State Warriors that saw him win four championships, Thompson now steps into a new chapter with the Mavericks. His arrival is seen as the final piece to help Dallas return to the NBA Finals and push for their first title since 2011.

For Thompson, who averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Warriors last season, the move from Golden State to Dallas presents more than just a change of scenery. He’s shifting from the Warriors’ famous motion-based offense—a free-flowing system that relies on constant ball movement and off-ball screens—to a more pick-and-roll-heavy and isolation system orchestrated by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Thompson acknowledged that this adjustment will require a learning curve, but he’s confident in his ability to adapt.

"I’m excited to play with Luka and Kyrie. The spacing they create is unbelievable, and that will definitely help my game," Thompson said. "But coming from the Warriors' system, I know it’s going to take some time to adjust. In Golden State, it was a lot of motion, a lot of reads. Now, here in Dallas, it’s more structured, more pick-and-roll. Luka in the pick-and-roll might be the best I’ve ever seen, so it’s just about finding my spots and figuring out how to contribute within that system."