The Dallas Mavericks made the decision to sign Klay Thompson to a three-year, $50 million deal back in 2024. Thompson was part of the Splash Brothers duo with Stephen Curry for over a decade before moving on to Dallas.
Last season, Thompson was in the starting lineup. His time as a starter with Golden State had come to an end, so he wanted a chance to play more for a different team. In his first full year with the Mavericks, he still proved to be an effective 3-point shooter, hitting 39 percent of his shots from deep.
This season, it has been much worse. In fact, it has gotten to the point that Jason Kidd has decided to bench Thompson prior to Dallas’ game against the Pelicans. That didn’t do them much good, as they lost the game. Still, Kidd had to explain his decision.
Dallas Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd Explains Benching of Klay Thompson
Following the loss against New Orleans, Kidd was asked to explain his decision to move Thompson to the bench.
“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.”
D’Angelo Russell was moved into the starting lineup for Thompson. Without Kyrie Irving, the Mavs have struggled to find a point guard to fit in with the starters. Kidd has been using Cooper Flagg as the starting point guard, but that has not gone well.
The Mavericks have now dropped to last place in the Western Conference after this loss to the Pelicans. They don’t have Irving or Anthony Davis on the floor, so they are without their two best players. Kidd is trying to figure out a combination that will result in wins.
Dallas Mavericks Guard Klay Thompson Flourished in First Game Off the Bench
Despite being bench, Thompson responded in a positive way on the court. Thompson was able to score 11 points, hitting 3/6 from beyond the 3-point arc. That ties the most 3s he’s made so far this season. Thompson wasn’t forced to create his own shot, which is something he’s had to do more of in the starting lineup.
Dallas has to figure out a way to get Thompson going on a more consistent basis. The Mavericks are shooting the third-worst percentage from beyond the 3-point arc in the NBA. Having Thompson shoot the ball better will go a long way to improving that stat.
The Mavericks aren’t expecting to get Irving back for another few months as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. Davis could return as soon as next week. That should help the Mavericks improve, but they still have to be better from beyond the arc to compete.
Kidd mentioned that Thompson coming off the bench isn’t a permanent thing, but it could be if he continues to play well from this new role.
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