Klay Thompson wants the Mavericks to reinvent their play style this season. With a new-look roster and both Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis still working their way back, the veteran sharpshooter told The Athletic that Dallas has to shift its focus toward ball movement, off-ball cutting, and defense to stay competitive in the West.
“We have different personnel than we did last season,” Thompson said. “We have to play a different style. We have to play to our strengths. That is cutting off the ball. Playing through our big men. We understand it can be a different player’s night every night out there. We don’t know who is going to lead the team in scoring. It’s obviously Kyrie and A.D. But until those guys are in the lineup on a consistent basis, it’s going to be someone else’s turn every night.”
Klay Thompson is already a legend in his own right but his quest for greatness is not yet finished. He came to the Mavericks to win, and he believes defense is the key to maximizing their potential.
“There’s no reason we can’t be the highest rated defensive team in the NBA,” Thompson said. “In my experience, what helps to win is having a roster full of two-way players. We have that.”
With Luka Doncic, the plan was simple: let him work and stay out of the way. While this strategy managed to get the Mavericks to the Finals in 2024, they lost faith in the vision and decided to wipe the slate clean. Now, with a revamped roster, the entire franchise is feeling pressure to perform and that includes the players, who have set high standards.
For Thompson, the important thing is to establish a new identity for the Mavericks and build championship habits that become ingrained in everyone. As a four-time champion already, he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest levels and he’s doing his part to ensure they are well prepared. On the court, while Klay may not be what he once was, his game is still highly effective and he proved it last season with averages of 14.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 41.2% shooting.
This season, with Kyrie Irving sidelined for months, the Mavericks will have to adjust and adapt to overcome the challenges but they have enough in the way of talent and experience to compete against any team in the West. How far they go, however, will ultimately depend on a number of factors, including health, player development, and the strength of leaders like Klay, Kyrie, and Anthony Davis. So far, the signs are all positive but the hard work has only just begun.
In the end, Klay Thompson knows this team is a work in progress, but he’s confident they can grow into something special. If the Mavericks can buy into his message and commit to winning on both ends, there’s no reason they can’t rise back into contention. Thompson has been part of dynasties before, and if his leadership takes hold in Dallas, the Mavericks could be next in line.
