Klay Thompson’s time in Dallas certainly has not played out the way he envisioned. His dreams of playing alongside Luka Doncic were cut down far too soon on Christmas of 2024, and yet, here, in the spring of 2026, Thompson remains a Maverick. Not a peep was heard from Thompson this season about his role or the situation, and he suited up 69 times for 22 minutes without complaint. He started less than 29 contests (8) for the first time in his Hall of Fame career, and his 11.7 points per game marked
another career-low. Despite all of this, he maintained a sense of professionalism throughout and made it clear in his exit interview that even though he is under contract next season, anything can change on a dime.
Season in review
Thompson entered his second season in Dallas with shell shock from the Luka Doncic trade. No one on the team was safe after what happened last February, and Captain Klay was at the top of the list of uncertainty. It seemed like a no-brainer to deal him to a contender in a mutually beneficial deal, yet even as Anthony Davis was shipped to Washington, Thompson remained with Dallas and played out his season in the blue and white.
By every measurement, it was a low point for the veteran guard. He shot a career-low from three (38.3 percent), took his fewest shots per game (10.6), and had single-digit 20-point games for the first time in his 13 NBA seasons. Last year, he clearly had something left in the tank. This time, it was apparent that the tank was close to empty.
He still had moments, but they were few and far between. His 24 points against Orlando in March were remarkable. Thompson was 7-of-12 that night, and for a few short stints, looked like someone who could swing a playoff game still. But outside of his sporadic outbursts, he looked like a player who was 36 years old and had two leg surgeries.
Best game
Thompson’s season-high was 26, and that came in a January game against the Jazz. He looked like his old self, scoring 15 points in 15 first-half minutes and dishing out five assists. The final tally of 26 could have been higher, but the game was out of reach, and Thompson valued the rest over the big performance. He made 10 of his 18 shots and six of his 13 threes. He was a +25 in just 23 minutes, and threw in a block and a steal for good measure.
Contract status
Klay Thompson is under contract with Dallas through 2026-27, and is owed $17,460,317.
Looking ahead
The future for Thompson is uncertain. Although Dallas has him next season, it makes sense for both parties to part ways. If I were Thompson, I would have tried to do that this past year, but now is the next best time to make a deal happen. He is aging and is only valuable on a contending team that needs leadership and spot shooting. Dallas will likely be better next season, but they will not be competing for a championship. If Thompson decides to stay and continue to help develop Cooper Flagg as his final mission, I would not complain. But the overwhelming likelihood is that Thompson will be elsewhere come October, and that is probably a good thing for both parties.
Grade: A
It is hard to give him anything but an A. Through one of the craziest 15 months any team has ever experienced, he has maintained professionalism throughout and kept his nose to the grindstone. In a period full of disgusting basketball and plenty of depressing shooting performances, Thompson provided the occasional barn burner that reminded us of better times. When it is all said and done, Thompson’s time in Dallas will always be remembered as a disappointment, for reasons that have nothing to do with him. But we cannot forget the sacrifices he made and the silence with which he responded to adversity when being loud would have been completely justified. May your boat take you to bluer waters, Captain!
