Klay Thompson (Image Credits: Imagn)

Klay Thompson Gets Real About His Time With the Mavericks as Journey Takes Emotional Turn

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Nitish Kumar Singh | Last updated Mar 20, 2026 8:56 AM ET

The 2025-26 season hasn’t gone according to plan for Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks. The team has looked more like a rebuilding project than a championship or even playoff contender.

The four-time NBA champion opened up about the emotional toll of a season that has been disappointing to say the least. For a player who spent a decade as a cornerstone of the Warriors’ dynasty, the shift to a high-lottery environment has been drastic.

“You want to win. You want to win every chance you can,” Thompson said. “Especially this league. It’s really hard to win. Although it hasn’t gone our way, it’s still awesome to be out there. I love the game with all my heart. I know how much I’m gonna miss it when I’m done bouncing that ball. So, every night for me is just like wow I’m happy to be out here.”

The Mavericks’ situation in 2026 is a far cry from the superteam many hoped for when Thompson signed his $50 million deal in 2024. With Luka Doncic now starring for the Lakers and Kyrie Irving sidelined for the season with a knee injury, the burden has fallen on Thompson and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg.

The Mavericks currently sit with the 6th-worst record in the NBA, having lost 18 of their last 20 games. Despite the losing record, Thompson’s individual milestones have been a bright spot for the Mavericks. While his scoring average has dipped to 11.9 PPG, his veteran presence has been crucial to Flagg’s development.

As the Mavericks enter the final stretch and potentially try to land a top-three pick, the box score is secondary to the joy of being healthy and active in the league Thompson loves.

Evaluating Klay Thompson’s Recent Stretch With Mavericks

Klay Thompson’s recent run with the Mavericks has been a mix of flashes and frustration. Over the past month, the veteran guard has shown he can still heat up from beyond the arc. He probed it with back-to-back outings of 24 and 19 points against Orlando and Boston, respectively. In March, he’s averaged a modest 13.7 points in just over 20 minutes per game.

Klay Thompson (Image Credits: Imagn)

However, the inconsistency is hard to ignore. A six-point outing on inefficient shooting against Cleveland brought his struggles to light. The five-time NBA All-Star is putting up 11.9 points per game, which is far from his prime production. His contribution in other areas has been minimal as well.

His role has also become uncertain. Despite doubts around his stay in Dallas, Khris Middleton has stepped in as a more versatile wing, leaving Thompson’s place in the rotation feels less secure. His off-ball strengths are even more difficult to maximize with Kyrie Irving ruled out.

Still, his shooting and championship experience provide value, particularly for a struggling Dallas offense. Whether that’s enough to secure his long-term future with the franchise is a looming question as the offseason approaches.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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