Klay Thompson is averaging just 12.6 points per game with career-worst shooting percentages of 38.1% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc through his first 19 games with the Mavericks. As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst writes in an Insider-only story, Thompson has started every game he has played so far for Dallas, but hasn’t always been part of the team’s closing lineup.
“Klay has been an awkward fit so far,” one Eastern Conference executive told ESPN. “Derrick Jones shot the ball better and played better D for them last year.”
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps points out in the same story that the Mavericks are running into a similar issue Golden State did last season — since Thompson has lost a step following ACL and Achilles injuries, playing him alongside two offense-first guards (Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski last year; Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving this year) compromises his team’s defense.
“He’s the exact same player he was with the Warriors,” one scout told Bontemps. “A quality spot-up shooter who can get hot and make shots still and who can occasionally guard.”
While Thompson certainly hasn’t come flying out of the gates this season, the Mavericks have been better with him on the court (+9.8 net rating) than off it (+4.5). And at least one scout believes it’s too early to be concerned about the veteran sharpshooter’s production.
“Klay has been fine,” that scout told ESPN. “His impact will be determined in the postseason, and if he has a few big games, then no one will remember what he shot from three in November.”
We have more from around the Southwest:
- Asked about nearing the end of a grueling 28-day stretch in which the Mavericks have had 15 games on their schedule – including 12 on the road – and have had to repeatedly traverse several time zones, head coach Jason Kidd acknowledged it hasn’t been easy, per Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “We’ve gone as far as you can go west, and now we’re going as far as we can go east,” Kidd said. “We’re not going to complain about it. It is what it is, but it’s not fair if you want players to play. And so when guys sit out, they (the NBA) can’t complain about guys sitting out when you have a schedule like this.” The Mavs have handled the travel- and schedule-related challenges admirably, having gone 10-4 entering the final contest of that 15-game run on Saturday in Toronto.
- Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart will be looking to get a rare win against his old team in Boston on Saturday. The Celtics have beaten Memphis in 16 of their last 17 meetings dating back to 2016, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. “You want him to get that win and get that feeling of beating the team that traded him or whatever,” Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. said. “At the end of the day, we want to have Marcus’ back and go up there and get the win.”
- Victor Wembanyama tested his sore lower back in warmups on Friday before being ruled out of the Spurs‘ game vs. Sacramento, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). Head coach Mitch Johnson said “the hope” is that Wembanyama will be good to go on Sunday against New Orleans after missing two games this week. Tre Jones (left shoulder sprain) is missing a third consecutive contest for the Spurs on Friday, while Devin Vassell (right foot injury management) is sitting the second end of a back-to-back, but should be available Sunday.
- In case you missed it, we passed along a handful of Pelicans-related notes and rumors earlier this evening.
Why do people keep pretending Klay Thompson is good?
I know he looks kinda the same, but he ain’t.
I dont understand the problem here. He is producing exactly how he was with Golden State, the difference is he isnt playing on a team that playstyle’s doesnt maximize him or playing with Steph’s gravity.
Dallas needed to focus on defense, everyone knew it. They bought in Klay and Dinwiddie. The entire FO should be fired.
Last time I checked the Mavs (15-8) have won 10 of their last 11 games and your Warriors (13-8 StReNgHt iN nUmBeRs) have only won 4 of their last 10 and currently down 10 to the Timberpuppies at halftime.
Maybe you need to get fired with your takes with Thompson and Moody.
As soon as someone responds with facts that Babey J cant respond to, he disappears. The bot must still be trying to learn how to respond to facts.
Klay been washed since his injuries, he’s a 15-20 MPG guy post-being hurt who gets way too much playing time for who he is now. Poole carried him in the 2022 playoffs.
Let me guess, this is also Kerr’s fault and this stunted the growth of your boy Moody?
Klay will find his shot when playoff time hits. It is hard to play as a third option because times it may be hard to find your shot. His playoff experience is a perfect cure to the Mavericks uplifting in the playoffs. It”a about 20 contest in the season I see no fear right now
When you sign a contract you are making a sacred bond. To the fans, to the team, to the sport. If you touch a basketball you owe it to give it your all. And if you don’t? Well then that’s pretty depressing. Why even put on a uniform?
What kumbaya pills are you taking? A sacred bond? Really?
I never played if I was not the number one option so I don’t know what the situation is like. I always left everything on the court. Real players don’t talk they play.
Yep, pretty much. It makes me depressed honestly the guys who just pass it by…