So far this season, [Dallas Mavericks](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/dallas-mavericks) guard Klay Thompson has generated more headline for his off-the-court relationships than for what he has actually done on the court, which actually might be a good thing for Thompson, because his play has been pretty underwhelming.
Through eight games, Thompson is averaging just 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 20.4 minutes per performance. Most alarmingly, he’s shooting a career-low 34 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. For one of the best shooters of all time, those marks are borderline embarrassing.
Prior to Dallas’ last game, Thompson was moved to the bench in an effort by coach Jason Kidd to shake things up and find a spark. While Thompson probably wasn’t thrilled with the decision, he made it clear that it’s not going to be an issue for him, and that he still expects big things from himself despite the slow start.
“I don’t mind,” Thompson said of not starting, via the [Dallas Morning News](https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2025/11/05/klay-thompson-bench-dallas-mavericks-jason-kidd-new-orleans-pelicans/). “I’m going to play. I’m gonna do great things. That’s coming. I know it is.”
This late into his career, Thompson is appreciative of the fact that he still has a role, regardless if that role is starting or coming off of the bench.
“I’m just happy to be here, my friend. Your 15th year? The heights I’ve seen? The lows I’ve seen? I’m just happy to be here. Because it’s hard to even make it this far in this business. You kidding me? Fifteen years? What?
“It’s hard, especially as time goes on. I see all my peers. It’s like the scene in _Sandlot_ at the end, where they fade to the background. It’s kind of surreal.”
Like Thompson, the Mavs have struggled to start the season, winning just two of their first eight games. As an experienced veteran, Thompson knows that it’s not time to panic. But, he also knows that the team needs to have some serious urgency moving forward. If Dallas falls too far behind in the standings in a competitive Western Conference, it will be very difficult to climb out of that hole.
“It’s not the ideal start,” Thompson said. “Luckily we’ve got 74 games left, but we should have a very high sense of urgency to right the ship. All the nautical analogies.”
Thompson returning to form a bit would certainly help Dallas in terms of righting the ship, and he’s optimistic that he’ll be better after knocking off some early-season rust.
“Because I’m feeling like those first five games were hard for me to get my wind and get my legs under me,” Thompson said. “Now, I’m finally feeling like myself again. And you just know as a shooter, when that ball is just effortlessly flicking off your wrist. You know big things are coming.”