The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly exploring trade options for Klay Thompson, whose struggles this season have forced head coach Jason Kidd to demote the four-time NBA champion to the bench.
ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel reported that the Mavericks plan to gauge Thompson’s value ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“It is no secret that Harrison and the Mavericks’ front office will explore what return exists for Klay Thompson before the trade deadline, and several teams are monitoring Daniel Gafford’s status, sources said,” Siegel reported.
Thompson, 35, joined the Mavericks last year after ending a 13-year run with the Golden State Warriors, where he won four NBA championships alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. He signed a three-year, $50 million deal in a sign-and-trade with Dallas, reportedly turning down a more lucrative $80 million offer from the Los Angeles Lakers.
From Showtime Lakers Legacy to Dallas Frustration
GettyKlay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks moves to the bench after his early-season shooting woes.
Thompson’s decision to reject the Lakers disappointed his father, Mychal Thompson, who won two championships with the “Showtime” Lakers from 1987 to 1991. According to ESPN, Thompson’s desire to win a fifth championship and dissatisfaction with a bench role in Golden State motivated his move to Dallas, then coming off an NBA Finals appearance led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
Ironically, the Mavericks later traded Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, now plagued by injuries, leaving Dallas tied for last in the competitive Western Conference. Thompson finds himself back in a bench role, with the Mavericks’ championship hopes diminished.
Declining Performance and Bench Demotion
Once one of the league’s most feared 3-point shooters, Thompson’s numbers have sharply declined. In his second season with Dallas, he is shooting only 29.2% from three, averaging career lows of 8.5 points and 1.8 assists per game. Last season, as a starter, Thompson shot 39% from deep.
Kidd’s decision to move Thompson to the bench has been tactical. In his first game off the bench, Thompson shot 50% from three, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a 101-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
“Well, I think just looking at when we have a point guard on the floor, it’s been alright. I talked to Klay, this isn’t a permanent thing, but can you come off the bench, and he said he’s good with it. Him coming off the bench gave us a spark,” Kidd said.
D’Angelo Russell replaced Thompson in the starting lineup as the Mavericks struggled to find a reliable point guard in Irving’s absence, with Cooper Flagg also starting unsuccessfully.
Thompson Embraces New Role
Thompson is embracing the bench role.
“I’m gonna do great things,” he said. “Those first five games were hard for me to get my wind and get my legs under me. Now I’m finally feeling like myself again… you know big things are coming.”
Looking ahead, Thompson carries a $17.5 million expiring contract next season. That could make him an attractive option for teams looking to free up cap space ahead of the 2027 free agency class, potentially headlined by MVP-caliber stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic.
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