Mavericks’ regret over passing on Klay Thompson will grow if they follow the Warriors’ path.

Klay Thompson’s first season with the Dallas Mavericks was marked by disappointment, as he struggled with the aftermath of the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade and Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury, ultimately missing the playoffs. After joining the Mavericks through a six-team sign-and-trade deal and signing a three-year, \$50 million contract, Thompson faced a season with less of a role compared to his long tenure with the Golden State Warriors.

Despite Thompson’s veteran status, the Mavericks may be in danger of regretting their decision if they try to increase his role next season. His 14.0 points per game this season marked his lowest since his rookie year, and his 12.2 field-goal attempts were also a career-low.

Some suggest the Mavericks should use Thompson more effectively, with Sam Allred from the Smoking Cuban advocating for head coach Jason Kidd to implement a Warriors-style offense. Thompson thrived in Golden State by exploiting off-ball actions and cuts, benefiting from the brilliance of Stephen Curry. Allred believes Kidd can recreate a similar system, using the 2022 Warriors as a blueprint.

However, while Golden State made it work with non-shooting bigs like Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, Thompson’s effectiveness stemmed from his perfect fit alongside Curry. The Mavericks face a challenge in replicating that dynamic, especially if they can’t pair Thompson with a similar on-ball talent.