Klay Thompson’s Latest Benching Proves He’s a Better Fit for the Mavs Than the Warriors

In a thrilling NBA showdown on Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks overcame the Portland Trail Blazers 117-111, despite missing their superstar guards Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. But amid the Mavericks’ heroic comeback, one player’s absence from the game raised eyebrows: Klay Thompson. Once a central figure for the Golden State Warriors, Thompson’s recent benching highlighted a stark reality—he might be a better fit for the Mavs than the Warriors at this stage of his career.

Klay Thompson’s Unexpected Bench Role

Despite being without their top two guards, Dončić and Irving, who were sidelined due to injury, Klay Thompson did not play a pivotal role in the Mavericks’ comeback. In fact, after subbing out with 6:41 left in the game, Thompson didn’t return, watching from the bench as the Mavs mounted a 16-0 run to seal the victory. Thompson finished the game with just three points on 1-of-6 shooting, including a dismal 0-for-4 from beyond the arc.

For a player with five NBA All-Star selections and a career that boasts four championships, it was a surprising performance. Instead of Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, and Jaden Hardy emerged as key contributors down the stretch, with Hardy scoring a game-high 25 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three.

Thompson’s Declining Role with the Warriors

Thompson’s struggles have been a growing theme this season. Despite his historical excellence, he has struggled to produce at his usual high level. Averaging just 13.8 points per game, Klay Thompson is experiencing a career-low in scoring. Even more concerning, his shooting efficiency has taken a hit, with Thompson posting 33.3% shooting from the field and a 35.7% success rate from the three-point line. This is far from the player who once averaged 20+ points per game during seven seasons with the Warriors.

At this point in his career, Thompson’s decline is unmistakable, and his role as a go-to scorer seems increasingly limited. His inability to elevate his game despite the absence of the Mavs’ top stars may be a sign that Thompson’s role is better suited as a veteran sharpshooter, rather than the primary scorer he once was in Golden State.

Why Klay Thompson Could Thrive with the Mavs

For all his struggles with the Warriors, there may be an opportunity for Klay Thompson to reignite his career with the Dallas Mavericks. Surrounded by two dynamic offensive players in Dončić and Irving, Thompson can thrive in a complementary role, focusing on his catch-and-shoot abilities, rather than bearing the burden of leading the offense. This aligns with the situation he found himself in last season, where his reduced role has allowed him to still remain effective without the expectation of scoring 20 points every night.

In fact, Thompson’s skill set could work perfectly within the Mavericks’ system. With a team that already boasts two offensive juggernauts in Dončić and Irving, Thompson would be more of a role player, capitalizing on spot-up shooting opportunities and helping space the floor. His defensive ability, combined with his shooting, could prove valuable in the Mavs’ rotation, as he would no longer need to carry the weight of scoring 20+ points a game like he did in previous seasons.

Mavs Are Surpassing Warriors in the West

As the Mavericks push to a 22-16 record—2.5 games ahead of the Warriors in the standings—the gap between these two teams continues to widen. Klay Thompson’s struggles with the Warriors have become more apparent, while the Mavericks’ young core and superstar tandem of Dončić and Irving continue to excel. If Thompson is able to embrace a role more akin to his potential fit in Dallas, he could add significant value without the pressures of being a primary scorer.

The Verdict: Klay Thompson’s Future in Dallas Looks Bright

Klay Thompson’s benching in the Mavericks’ comeback win is a clear indicator that he’s no longer the go-to scorer he once was for the Golden State Warriors. His fit with the Mavericks is starting to make more sense, where he can play a complementary, yet impactful role next to superstars Dončić and Irving. While Thompson may never return to his former All-Star glory, a reduced role in Dallas could offer him a chance to thrive once again, without the expectations of carrying the scoring load. The future of Klay Thompson’s career may just lie in embracing his evolution as a key role player with the Mavericks, rather than holding on to his past role with the Warriors.