ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Klay Thompson agreed to a three-year, $50M contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
Thompson has now ended a 13-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors, successful 4 championships with the franchise. Now, he will probably be tasked with serving to the Mavericks return to the NBA Finals and problem for a championship.
Dallas’ acquisition of Thompson is a serious enhance to its probabilities of competing on the highest stage. Listed here are three the reason why the veteran sharpshooter will thrive with the Mavericks.
1. He will probably be their major shooter
A staple of Dallas’ offense final season was forcing defenses to break down when Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving drove the ball and hit the open shooter within the nook.
Thompson is likely one of the greatest catch-and-shoot threats within the NBA. His off-ball motion is elite. He’ll persistently discover area to get his shot off and supply a dependable outlet for Dallas’ ball-handlers as they lean into their spray offense subsequent season.
You’ll probably see Thompson curling off screens throughout half-court actions, too. Doncic and Irving have unimaginable capturing gravity. Thompson’s presence will put defenses into a troublesome spot, as they cannot assist off him however will not need to guard Doncic and Irving straight up.
2. He provides defensive versatility
Thompson is not the defender he was in his prime. However, he can nonetheless guard a number of positions and grasp with larger, stronger opponents.
The Mavericks should preserve Thompson away from fast and shifty guards, although, as his damage historical past has challenged him concerning lateral quickness.
However, Thompson will present defensive versatility on the wing and can enable head coach Jason Kidd to tinker together with his total technique.
Cross-matching is turning into a standard defensive technique within the NBA, and Thompson might be the perfect candidate to begin positions guarding a middle or hulking ahead.
3. He brings championship expertise
Thompson is a four-time champion. He is aware of what it takes to win on the largest stage. He’ll be part of Irving as a number one voice inside the locker room and will assist his new teammates preserve a stage head in the event that they make it again to the NBA Finals within the coming years.
The Mavericks have not had a ton of management in recent times. Thompson’s skilled strategy and veteran status within the NBA will enable him to imagine an enormous position within the locker room.
It can probably be an space the place he makes certainly one of his most appreciable impacts and will probably be essential to the Mavericks’ continued pursuit of success.