Dallas Mavericks Have a Klay Thompson Problem

The Dallas Mavericks have a Klay Thompson problem — and no, the issue isn’t Thompson’s girlfriend, rapper and Houston native Megan Thee Stallion. The question is the No. 1 preseason question: “Who will defend the perimeter?” Thompson, 35, may or may not succeed in terms of perimeter defense.

Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson Problem

During the Dallas Mavericks’ training camp, it was unclear if PJ Washington or Klay Thompson would earn the starting spot. If Head Coach Jason Kidd continues to give Thompson the starting nod like in the preseason, the team may struggle to shut down elite ball handlers and shot creators in the regular season.

Mavericks’ Outlook With Thompson

The Dallas Mavericks’ outlook with Thompson in the picture appears to be a mixed bag. Thompson was once the best ball handlers in the NBA. Thompson’s age and injury led to decreasing athleticism, along with dwindling defensive versatility. Hence, the past tense of “was.”

Thompson may have moments of anchoring and locking a player up, but D’Angelo Russell is the better option at the moment. Russell, 29, has solid length at the point of attack. The 29-year-old is an interesting defender, which arguably makes up for a lack of lateral quickness and strength compared to other guards on defense.

Both Thompson and Russell struggled to hold down the point of attack in the Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets preseason game on Saturday, October 11. The Oct. 11 game was just one matchup, but the Mavericks faced some real competition in the preseason vs. Hornets.

Final Thoughts

The Dallas Mavericks can alleviate some of the perimeter defense struggles by activating Max Christie, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin off the bench. But there’s a potential downside as Thompson and Russell may be looking to assume most minutes in the starting rotation until Kyrie Irving returns.

The regular season is just around the corner. Fans may be emotionally missing Dante Exum right now. Exum, 30, is dealing with a right knee issue with an indefinite timetable to return. He is a solid defender when healthy.

Dallas finished the preseason with the NBA’s best defensive rating, second-most blocked shots per game, and second-fewest allowed points per game. Like GM Nico Harrison said, “Defense wins championships.” So, we’ll see what happens when Dallas’ defense is actually tested by tough teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Oklahoma City Thunder.