Mavericks Consider Releasing Warriors Legend Amid Career-Worst Performance

Bassyonni

ago 6 hours

Mavericks Consider Releasing Warriors Legend Amid Career-Worst Performance

The Dallas Mavericks secured a victory against the Toronto Raptors, marking a positive step for the team. However, former Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson continued to struggle, logging only 20 minutes in the match. His total playing time this season averages a career-low 19.9 minutes over three games.

Mavericks Consider Future with Klay Thompson

Thompson’s performance has raised questions about his future in Dallas. He signed a three-year, $50 million contract last year but is not fitting into the Mavericks’ system as expected. The absence of key players Luka Doncic and the injured Kyrie Irving has limited his effectiveness, leading to speculation about a potential split.

Concerns About Current Performance

Analyst Austin Veazey noted the difficulties Thompson faces in generating open shots due to poor offensive spacing. The Mavericks’ offense has struggled to support his skill set, rendering him the only deep threat teams need to guard seriously. His current statistics reflect a significant decline, averaging just 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting only 37% from the field and 26.7% from beyond the arc.

Comparative Minutes and Contributions

Several teammates are currently seeing more significant playing time:

Cooper Flagg (31+ minutes per game)
Max Christie (27.4 minutes per game)
Naji Marshall (24.3 minutes per game)
D’Angelo Russell (29 minutes per game off the bench)

This trend raises concerns about Thompson’s role as the season progresses. The Mavericks may contemplate trading him if they feel his contributions won’t improve with Irving’s return.

Future Possibilities

Given Thompson’s iconic status as a four-time NBA champion, a return to the Warriors could be a consideration in the future. However, with his current contract and performance, a trade seems unlikely at this moment. The franchise must evaluate whether to adapt their strategy or consider parting ways with the veteran sharpshooter for better team cohesion.