The Dallas Mavericks may soon be forced to confront an uncomfortable reality with Klay Thompson. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater and Tim MacMahon, Mavericks co-interim general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi are expected to "explore" Thompson's trade market as the Feb. 5 deadline approaches.
While the organization has not committed to a full reset, league sources suggest Dallas is at least gauging interest in the veteran wing as its season continues to drift.
There's one obvious complication. Thompson is owed more than $17 million next season, making him a difficult asset to move, especially for a team hoping to remain competitive.
At 35, Thompson remains one of the most accomplished shooters in NBA history. A five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, and four-time champion, he built his legacy during a 13-year run with the Golden State Warriors.
Alongside Stephen Curry, Thompson helped define an era as half of the "Splash Brothers," a duo that reshaped modern offense. Curry ranks first all-time in made three-pointers, while Thompson sits fifth with 2,767. His career shooting marks, 41.0 percent from three and 45.3 percent overall, remain elite by historical standards.
But the production hasn't followed Thompson to Dallas. Across 97 games with the Mavericks, he is averaging 13.2 points per game while shooting 40.2% from the field and 38.3 percent from deep. This season, his role has shrunk further.
Through 25 games, only eight starts, Thompson is averaging a career-low 11.1 points on a career-worst 37.0 percent shooting, though his 36.1 percent three-point rate remains respectable. He has shown signs of stabilization lately, hitting 40.7 percent from deep over the past month.
Dallas, meanwhile, sits at 11-17 following the departure of Luka Dončić, and Thompson has been moved to the second unit, hardly the envisioned final chapter of a Hall of Fame career. That backdrop has reopened speculation about a potential Golden State reunion. Asked by ESPN about the idea, Thompson remained noncommittal.
"I don't know. That's a long ways away, man," Thompson said. "That's a lot of basketball to be had. I don't know what the future holds."
Curry, however, sounded far more open.
"I wish he was still here," Curry told ESPN. "It would be unbelievable. If that time comes and that conversation is had, of course I'm calling him and saying, ‘We want you back.' … But as we stand right now, that does seem like a far distant reality. But so did him leaving."
Slater also reported that if a reunion opportunity were on the table, it would have to come from Curry pushing for it to happen. Nonetheless, whether sentiment can outweigh salary math remains unclear. But if Thompson's time in Dallas continues to drift, the league may soon be forced to ask whether one of basketball's greatest trios deserves one last ride together.
Newsweek