Dallas Mavericks: Did All-NBA Snub Make Klay Thompson a possibility?

With Klay Thompson missing out on the All-NBA team, and subsequently a supermax contract, might the Dallas Mavericks become a possibility?

Let’s be real – Klay Thompson has never been a very realistic option for the Dallas Mavericks. Or any other franchise not named “Golden State” for that matter. His re-signing with the defending champs has always been for forgone conclusion.

You wouldn’t know that by reading offseason blogs, of course. Just about every team in the league is discussing Thompson as a great fit on their team and a second tier possibility in free agency this summer. But it’s always been a pipe dream.

The reality is, Thompson is a great fit on every team in the NBA. He’s a long and lean shooter with lock-down defensive ability. He’s a 3-and-D athlete that everyone looks for. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to score, he’s used to sharing the ball with other stars (often playing third fiddle), and he’s capable of getting hot at any moment – even if no shooting rhythm has been established.

He’s the perfect player.

That’s why so many team blogs are drooling over him. Why they ever thought he was a realistic possibility is beyond me. But that might be exactly the problem and exactly the driving force that sends him away from Golden State.

Thompson isn’t a second tier player. He may not be the All-time great that LeBron James  and Kevin Durant are, but he’s definitely among the game’s elite. The problem is, too many people see him as less. It’s this perception that made him miss out on the All-NBA team and as a result, miss out on a supermax deal.

When informed, Klay was visibly displeased. But word is it’s the disrespect more than the money. After years of being a team player and thriving in a role very few can, Thompson got rewarded with a snub. There are those that will say that’s the price you pay to play for an all-star team. And they’re right.

And if Thompson wants to prove them all wrong, he may want to strike out on his own and prove he can be a No. 1 option on a contender. Is that place Dallas?

If you’re not willing to make him THE No. 1 then the answer is unequivocally, “no.” That’s the problem. Most fans want to see Thompson join their team to play in the same role he’s been in. Why would he leave the perfect situation for that? The only way to draw Thompson is by giving him the keys to the kingdom, and treating him like he’s the top superstar on the team. Otherwise, he might as well stay home and win championships. That worked out for Scottie Pippen pretty well.

Did the All-NBA snub increase the Dallas Mavericks chances of getting Klay Thompson. Yes. But only from about 0.01% to 3%. Look elsewhere Mavericks fans (and every other NBA team’s fans) because Klay probably doesn’t want what we’re offering.

• Published on 06/08/2019 at 12:01 PM
• Last updated at 06/08/2019 at 08:56 AM