Klay Thompson’s future with the Dallas Mavericks is becoming increasingly uncertain, and a return to the Los Angeles Lakers remains a realistic possibility.
According to The Athletic’s Christian Clark, the Mavericks have been exploring Thompson’s trade market, but no trade has been finalized. Thompson is entering the final year of his contract and set to make about $17.5 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. The Mavericks are evaluating all options before entering buyout talks with Thompson.
Clark also reported that Thompson would welcome a return to Los Angeles, where he spent his childhood and still owns a home. The Miami Heat have also been repeatedly mentioned around the league as another destination if Thompson ever enters the buyout market.
For the Mavericks, moving Klay Thompson might not be as easy as it seems. They have repeatedly tested the trade market and are yet to find a suitable offer. If that continues, a buyout could become a real possibility, but the organization has not shown that much interest in that route so far.
Thompson is coming off the worst season of his career so far. The five-time All-Star averaged 11.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 39.3% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range. Those numbers represent career lows in both scoring and field-goal percentage.
But even in a down year, he averaged 2.9 three-point makes per game and was one of the Mavericks’ best floor spacers. Even at the age of 36, his three-point shooting remains very valuable, and that could make him a prized commodity across the league.
A move to the Lakers could make plenty of basketball sense. The Lakers spent the entire offseason reshaping the roster around Luka Doncic, adding more athleticism, defense, and depth. But one thing that every Doncic-led team needs is elite shooting, and Thompson can provide exactly that, even as his all-around playing ability has declined.
And Thompson also has familiarity. Thompson has already played alongside Doncic after spending time with him in Dallas before the Mavericks traded the Slovenian superstar. In fact, one of the main reasons Thompson chose the Mavericks over the Lakers in 2024 was Luka. The two have developed chemistry, and Thompson understands that off-ball movement and spacing are very important to Luka Doncic’s playmaking ability.
The Lakers don’t need the Klay Thompson of the Warriors. Instead, they would want him to take a smaller role, playing around 20 to 25 minutes per night while providing consistent shooting off the bench and closing certain games where spacing is the most important thing.
With defenders like Quentin Grimes and Matisse Thybulle expected to handle tough defensive assignments, Thompson could focus almost entirely on the one thing that he does best—hitting shots.
But Miami is also a very interesting option, and they still remain firmly in the race. The Heat are looking for additional shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, and Thompson has already hinted that a move to South Beach might interest him if he ever reaches free agency.
Interestingly, the Heat are also not the only team that Thompson has left the door open for. The future Hall of Famer has previously acknowledged that a reunion with the Golden State Warriors isn’t entirely ruled out.
But for now, much depends on what the Mavericks decide.
If Dallas eventually finds a trade partner, Thompson’s next destination could arrive sooner than expected. If not, a buyout would likely spark big interest across the league.
The Lakers in particular would benefit heavily if that scenario unfolds. Thompson’s shooting, experience, and chemistry with Doncic make him a logical low-risk addition for a team that is hoping to accelerate its championship window.
Whether that reunion with Doncic happens or not is yet to be seen. But as rumors continue to rise around Thompson’s future in Dallas, the Lakers have entered the conversation as one of the favored landing spots.
