Klay Thompson feels he might be the missing link for Dallas Mavericks since leaving Golden State Warriors

Klay Thompson recalls telling Luka Doncic that he felt the Dallas superstar was going to greatness after Golden State defeated the Mavericks in the Western Conference finals two years ago. Thompson, who has left the only NBA club he has known in 13 years to join Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Texas, is ready to celebrate rather than comfort the 25-year-old phenom. 

In 2022, the Warriors won their fourth championship, this time with Thompson and Stephen Curry. Two years later, Thompson's rough season came to an end with a scoreless, 0-for-10 performance in a play-in tournament defeat to Sacramento.

He believed it may be the end of his stint with the organization that chose him 11th overall in 2011. Thompson also disappointed his father, Mychal Thompson, a former Los Angeles Lakers player and commentator, by choosing Doncic and Irving over LeBron James and Anthony Davis in free agency.

The choice was heavily influenced by the Mavs' five-game loss to Boston in the NBA Finals. Thompson joined the Mavericks in a six-team trade that included a $50 million, three-year contract for the 34-year-old, a five-time All-Star.

Dallas also signed free agency forward Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million contract and acquired Quentin Grimes from Detroit in a trade that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round selections to the Pistons. Marshall and Grimes were already on board when they learned about the Thompson deal.

Klay Thompson might rediscover his love for the game

Klay Thompson has played two complete seasons following knee and Achilles heel ailments that sidelined him for two and a half seasons. Thompson is coming off his lowest scoring average in 11 years (17.9 points per game), and he almost tied his career worst by shooting 38.7% from three-pointers.

Thompson only came off the bench 14 times in 77 games last season, the first time since his rookie season. This is why Curry, in one of numerous heartfelt farewells to his longtime "Splash Brother," stated he hoped Thompson could rediscover his love for the game.

According to Thompson, Irving, whose career has been revitalized in Dallas, was one of the first players to reach out. They entered the league together in 2011  Irving was Cleveland's first overall choice and faced off in the NBA Finals three years in a row. While Irving's friendship helps, two visits to the Western Conference finals in three years are a huge part of why Dallas signed a big name in free agency after years of disappointment.