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Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is acknowledged by fans during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)
Klay Thompson could have played his final game in a Mavericks uniform.
The veteran sharpshooter was asked after Sunday's season-ending win over the Chicago Bulls if he anticipates being in Dallas next year.
"I’m not sure," Thompson said. "I’m under contract so I do, but I’ve definitely learned in my time in Dallas that things can change on a dime."
The Mavericks have changed drastically since Thompson joined the team during the 2024 offseason. They went from chasing championships to chasing lottery balls after missing the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.
Dallas is not the title contender that was once highlighted by the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. It isn't the team that temporarily featured Anthony Davis as the franchise centerpiece, either.
This iteration of the Mavericks has a new face in 19-year-old Cooper Flagg, who just finished one of the most historic rookie seasons in NBA history.
A rebuild is not what Thompson signed up for, especially as he enters the back end of his career. He just finished the second year of a three-year contract and will turn 37 next season. He played in 69 games this season and averaged career-lows in points (11.7), but maintained his status as an elite shooter with a 3-point shooting clip of 38.3%.
"I'm just here to have a great time and put my best foot forward and that's all you can do," Thompson said. "That's the hardest thing about being an NBA player. They think they pay you for the records broken or the rings won, but really they pay you for being able to be traded, being on the road away from your family on a consistent basis, going through injury and all this stuff that the common fan doesn't really see that really makes it difficult."
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On Sunday, Thompson scored 12 points and passed Kevin McHale to move into 100th on the NBA's all-time scoring list. His four 3-pointers gave him 202 3-pointers, which marked his 11th season with 200 3s, the second-most in NBA history behind his former teammate, Stephen Curry.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd talked about Thompson's role as a reserve this season before Sunday's game.
"When you talk about consistency, Klay is at the top of the list," Kidd said. "It's not easy to make 200 3s. For him to have the opportunity to do that is big. Asking him to come off the bench, he's been a true pro on and off the floor for us."
Overall, Thompson has averaged 12.9 points on 38.9% shooting in 140 games. There's a chance Thompson could also have a desire to be on a team that is equipped to win a championship now. The Mavericks could then choose to trade him to a contender during the offseason. Whether Thompson has a chance to return next season depends on the Mavericks' next general manager, who will evaluate the roster to determine who fits around Flagg. The Mavericks needs as much shooting as possible to surround their young star with adequate spacing, so Thompson's skillset is needed.
"I have been very grateful to be here and to make it through the season healthy," Thompson said. "I know my years are numbered going forward so every night in an NBA jersey, I take full advantage of it."
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (left) and guard Ryan Nembhard are introduced before an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)
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