Mavericks Make Surprise Klay Thompson Realization Warriors Learned Last Season

When you think of Klay Thompson, your mind likely goes straight to his elite 3-point shooting and his status as one of the best catch-and-shoot players in NBA history. Known for his incredible perimeter defense and clutch playoff performances, Thompson has long been one of the cornerstones of the Golden State Warriors‘ championship successes. However, an aspect of his game that often goes overlooked is his playmaking ability. Although Thompson has spent much of his career off the ball, a deeper dive into his recent performances reveals a surprising revelation—Klay Thompson, the playmaker, might just be a valuable asset.

Klay Thompson’s Playmaking Role in Golden State

For most of his career, Klay Thompson was known for his offensive prowess as a spot-up shooter, with his ability to create offense without the ball being a significant part of his game. As a result, his playmaking abilities were largely left to Stephen Curry and Chris Paul, two of the NBA’s top facilitators. But last season, the Warriors learned that Thompson has a surprising ability to contribute as a playmaker, albeit in an unconventional way.

While Thompson isn’t known for his assists, he was able to build impressive chemistry with rookie center Trayce Jackson-Davis. Thompson assisted on 38 of Jackson-Davis’ baskets, showing an underrated level of coordination and trust between the two. To put this in perspective, Thompson assisted on more baskets than Stephen Curry (29) and was just one behind Chris Paul‘s 39. These statistics highlighted Thompson’s growing ability to facilitate offense, especially in pick-and-roll situations, something that wasn’t typically associated with him in previous years.

Klay Thompson’s Playmaking in Dallas: New Opportunities with Dereck Lively II

After joining the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason, Thompson’s role shifted, with fewer playmaking opportunities alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving—two of the league’s premier ball handlers. However, recent injuries to both Doncic and Irving have opened the door for Thompson to expand his playmaking role with the Mavericks, particularly in his pairing with second-year center Dereck Lively II.

Mavericks fans have quickly recognized that the combination of Thompson and Lively II could become a potent offensive weapon for the team. Lively II, an athletic big man, has shown considerable potential, and Thompson’s ability to find him in the right spots on the floor has created a dynamic partnership that could pay off in the long run.

As highlighted by Will Miller of The Smoking Cuban, the Mavericks need to explore this pairing even more, even when Doncic and Irving return. “Jason Kidd should definitely consider installing more actions with Lively II and Thompson together, as the combination of the two is simply a spacing nightmare for defenses,” Miller wrote. Lively II’s athleticism paired with Thompson’s shooting creates an offensive synergy that could prove challenging for defenses to counter.

Thompson’s Struggles and the Need for More Playmaking

Despite Klay Thompson’s struggles with shooting this season—his field goal and 3-point shooting percentage are both at career-lows—his evolving playmaking could help offset some of those struggles. Dallas remains stuck in the crowded Western Conference standings, and as the team fights to gain momentum, finding other ways for Thompson to contribute will be key to their success. By embracing his role as a facilitator, the Mavericks can help Thompson stay engaged and make the most of his veteran experience, even if his shooting isn’t up to his usual standard.

Conclusion: Klay Thompson’s Role as a Playmaker in Dallas

While Klay Thompson‘s identity has long been tied to his legendary shooting, his recent performances as a playmaker have added a new dimension to his game. Dallas Mavericks fans are beginning to realize that Thompson’s ability to facilitate offense could be just as valuable as his scoring, especially when paired with the athleticism of Dereck Lively II. The Mavericks should look to incorporate this duo more into their game plans, even when Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving return to the lineup.

As Thompson continues to evolve, the Mavericks may have found a surprising new weapon in his playmaking ability—one that could help them navigate the competitive landscape of the Western Conference and perhaps provide the boost they need to rise up the standings.