Golden State Warriors legend Klay Thompson is coming off what was undoubtedly a disappointing first year as a Dallas Maverick, having had to play through the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade and Kyrie Irving's devastating ACL injury before ultimately missing the playoffs.
After signing a three-year, $50 million contract last offseason and officially moving to Dallas via a six-team sign-and-trade, Thompson had an up-and-down season where he was utilized a little less than what he'd experienced throughout his decorated career with the Warriors.
However, any plan the Mavericks may have of trying to increase the 35-year-old's role ahead of next season may be fraught with danger, and could lead to regret over their initial decision to acquire Thompson nearly 12 months ago.
The Mavericks can't emulate what the Warriors once had with Klay Thompson
Thompson's 14.0 points per game this season was his lowest scoring average since his rookie year with Golden State, while his 12.2 field-goal attempts were also the lowest since his debut season.
That's leading to suggestions that the Mavericks need to utilize the 5x All-Star more in order to be most effective, with Sam Allred of the Smoking Cuban recently stating that head coach Jason Kidd needs to implement more of the offense Thompson was accustomed to with the Warriors.
"He (Thompson) weaponized his shooting talent as a Warrior through off-ball actions and timely cuts. This trait, combined with Steph Curry's on-ball brilliance, was the offensive foundation for four NBA titles in the Bay," Allred wrote. "Kidd has an opportunity to recreate this offensive system, with the 2022 Warriors roster as the blueprint."
Allred points to the fact Golden State often had a pair of non-shooting bigs in Draymond Green and Kevon Looney as part of the 2022 starting lineup, something that Dallas may also have next season with Anthony Davis and one of Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II.
However, Thompson was so effective with the Warriors because he was a perfect complement to Stephen Curry, with the splash brothers so often allowing Steve Ker to get away with two non-spacing threats in the front court.
As much as Dallas may want to incorporate more of a Golden State-type offense, they simply don't have the unique ingredient of Curry to make it happen effectively. For as brilliant as Kyrie Irving is, and even if (a big if) he were to return from injury as largely himself, he doesn't create the same gravity as Curry has for the last decade.
Therefore trying to force Thompson into a bigger role isn't necessarily the best idea for the Mavericks to implement, particularly given he shot a career-worst 41.2% from the field this year anyway and will be entering his age 36 season.