Klay Thompson Embraces Mavericks’ System as Team Eyes Championship Run

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.”

Thompson’s transition from Golden State’s fluid offense to Dallas’ more pick-and-roll and switch-hunting oriented system is one of the biggest storylines heading into the season. Dallas, which operates heavily around Dončić’s ball-dominant play and Irving’s isolation abilities, will find ways to incorporate Thompson’s strengths in catch-and-shoot situations beyond just being a stop threat, considering he’s so dynamic as a motion shooter. Fortunately, Thompson remains one of the best in the game at moving without the ball and capitalizing on space.

“Luka makes the game easy for everyone. With the way he reads defenses, there are going to be a lot of opportunities for open shots,” Thompson added. “It’ll be different from how I played in Golden State, but I know I can help this team.”

Dončić echoed the excitement about what Thompson brings to the team, especially with his shooting ability.

“You basically can’t leave him open,” Dončić said. “With him on the court, the floor spacing is going to be unreal. It’s going to help open things up for me and Kyrie. We can run more pick-and-roll and let Klay spot up — it’s going to be fun.”

Klay Thompson’s Championship Pedigree

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd highlighted just how important Thompson’s arrival could be for a team that came within inches of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy last season, only to fall short against the Boston Celtics. Dallas struggled with shooting in the Finals, and Kidd believes Thompson’s presence will change that.

“When you add a guy like Klay, who can shoot the way he does, it changes everything,” Kidd said. “We haven’t had a shooter like him in a while. Every time he lets it go, it feels like it’s going in. And that’s going to open up the floor for Luka, Kyrie, and everyone else. He’s going to make the game easier offensively.”

Kidd went on to compare Thompson’s shooting ability to that of Jason Terry, who played a key role in Dallas’ 2011 title run.

“This is rare air when we talk about Klay,” Kidd continued. “Gaff and D-Live are going to have a lot of room to operate in the paint because of the gravity Klay creates on the perimeter.”

Despite now being in his 14th NBA season, Thompson’s shooting remains elite. He connected on the fourth-most three-pointers in the league last season, even while experiencing a dip in his shooting percentage compared to his prime years. But for Thompson, the motivation is clear — he’s in Dallas to win another championship, and he sees the Mavericks as being close to that goal.

Irving, who played a pivotal role in bringing Thompson to Dallas, was also vocal about what Klay brings to the team.

“Klay is a huge reason why I’m here, and I knew he would fit perfectly,” Irving said. “We’ve been in Finals battles before, and I’ve seen what he’s capable of. Having him here gives us the chance to get back to the Finals and finish the job.”

Building Chemistry with New Teammates

Thompson’s decision to join the Mavericks was heavily influenced by the team’s run to the Finals last season. Watching from afar, he recognized Dallas as a team on the verge of something special. “That’s why I’m here in the first place,” Thompson said. “I saw how close they were to winning a championship, and I want to be a part of that journey.”

The Mavericks’ “Big Three” of Dončić, Irving, and Thompson is one of the most talented offensive trios in the league. While adjusting to a new offensive system will take time, the early indications from informal scrimmages are promising. Thompson has already marveled at Dončić’s ability to control the game, particularly in pick-and-roll situations.

Irving further emphasized the chemistry and trust that’s already forming between the three of them.

“We’ve already been working on our timing, and it’s coming together quickly,” Irving said. “I know what Klay brings to the table, and Luka does too. That’s why we’re confident we can make another Finals run.”

Defensive Adjustments and New Challenges

While Thompson’s offensive skills are well-documented, questions about his defense have emerged after multiple significant lower-body injuries. Once one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders, Thompson’s defense took a step back after multiple leg injuries. At 34, he may not be the lockdown defender he once was, but he’s still capable of holding his own on that end of the floor.

Without Jones in the mix, Kidd noted that Thompson can still “move his feet,” but it will take a collective effort on defense. Kidd acknowledged that losing Jones hurts the team defensively but expressed confidence in Thompson’s ability to contribute and in the team’s new additions, Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes, to step up.

“We lost a great defender in Derrick, no doubt about it,” Kidd said. “But we’ve got guys who can step in. Naji and Quentin bring a lot of energy and versatility on defense, and Klay, with his experience, will help anchor us in big moments.”

Without Jones in the mix, Kidd noted that Thompson can still “move his feet” but that it will take a collective effort on defense.

“Luka, Kyrie, and Klay will all need to step up defensively,” Kidd said. “We’ll need them to guard, and we’ll be relying on our rim protectors and team defense to cover gaps. But with the experience and basketball IQ these guys have, they’ll figure it out.”

Thompson, too, praised his new teammates for their defensive abilities, particularly Marshall and Grimes.

“We complement each other so well,” Thompson said. “What I might be deficient in, Naji or Quentin can pick up with their ability to guard multiple positions. We’ve got guys who can play off each other, and that’s going to help us a lot.”

Dallas Mavericks Will Integrate Klay Thompson at Training Camp

As the Mavericks head to Las Vegas for training camp, the focus will be on integrating Thompson into the team’s system and building the chemistry needed for another deep playoff run. While the transition from Golden State’s motion offense to Dallas’ pick-and-roll-heavy attack will take some time, Thompson is optimistic about what the team can achieve.

“I’m excited to get to work,” Thompson said. “We’ve got the talent, and we’ve got the pieces. Now it’s about putting it all together and making another run at the Finals.”

For the Mavericks, adding a player of Thompson’s caliber not only boosts their chances of returning to the Finals but also sends a message to the rest of the league: Dallas is all-in on winning now. With Thompson on board, the Mavericks have their sights set on finishing what they started last season and bringing a championship back to Dallas.