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Klay Thompson’s Dallas future faces critical juncture. Just hours after Kyrie Irving’s ACL news, the Mavericks signal major changes ahead. The 36-year-old sharpshooter could be bought out or traded this summer as Dallas pivots toward a youth-focused rebuild.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Mavericks Record: 19-35 in 2025-26 season, bottom half of standings
- Thompson’s Contract: $16.67M this season, final year after 2026-27 option
- Current Stats: 11.6 PPG, 38.8% FG, career-low scoring and minutes (22.1 MPG)
- Team Changes: Irving sidelined, Davis traded, Dončić gone, focus on Cooper Flagg
The Vision That Never Materialized
When Klay Thompson signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, he envisioned competing for a fifth championship. The franchise promised a Big Three alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Fast forward just two years, and that vision has completely collapsed. Dončić is gone. Irving tore his ACL and won’t play this season. Anthony Davis played only 29 games before being traded for salary relief.
Thompson, still one of the deadliest shooters in the NBA, finds himself on a team with zero championship aspirations. The Mavericks’ 19-35 record makes a Finals return extremely unlikely. Dallas now centers everything on rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, making veteran pieces like Thompson expendable.
Klay Thompson could face buyout or trade this summer as Mavericks look ahead
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A Career-Low Decline
Thompson’s production has dropped significantly in his two Dallas seasons. The four-time Golden State Warriors champion is averaging career-lows across almost every metric. He’s posting 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in just 22.1 minutes per game. His shooting percentage has dipped to 38.8 percent, reflecting both reduced offensive roles and the physical toll of past injuries.
In 48 games this season, Thompson has been a serviceable role player rather than a featured star. His scoring drought stands at career-worst levels, a far cry from his Warriors dynasty days. While injuries have slowed the five-time All-Star, the Mavericks’ commitment to youth makes his veteran presence less valuable.
What Happens This Summer
| Option | Timeline | Details |
| Trade | June 2026 draft period | Explore suitors; final year makes him attractive for contenders |
| Buyout | July-August 2026 | Mutual agreement to part ways; Thompson joins contender |
| Contract Year | 2026-27 at $17.46M | Final season; Mavericks likely explore all exit routes |
The Mavericks organization views Thompson as a veteran who no longer fits their timeline. Dallas has one year left on Thompson’s deal after this season, giving them flexibility to move him. Whether through a trade to a contending team or a buyout agreement, insiders expect Thompson to move before next season.
“Because he’s gonna be in the final year of his contract, he doesn’t seem to fit their timeline anymore, and he wants to be on a team that’s gonna be contending for a championship. So I would keep an eye on what’s gonna happen with Klay Thompson around the time of the draft.”
— Brett Siegel, ClutchPoints
The Contender Role That Awaits
Thompson’s final years offer fascinating possibilities for championship contenders. Despite his age and injuries, he remains a very good role player who shoots over 37 percent from three-point range. Playoff teams searching for veteran floor spacers could view him as a plug-and-play option. His multiple championship experiences and clutch-gene pedigree make him valuable beyond raw statistics.
Teams like the Celtics, Nuggets, Heat, or other contenders could pursue Thompson if Dallas makes him available. His $16.67M salary represents a reasonable investment for a final championship run. Thompson himself wants to compete for titles, not tank with a rebuilding squad.
Will the Mavericks Keep Thompson or Move Him?
Dallas faces perhaps an intriguing choice about Thompson’s role moving forward. He could remain a veteran mentor for Flagg and young players, providing championship experience and leadership. However, sources indicate the Mavericks organization prefers clearing salary to maximize youth development. A buyout or trade appears far more likely than retention, especially given Kyrie Irving’s looming return and Dereck Lively’s growth.
