The Dallas Mavericks made their biggest free agency move in franchise history earlier this month as they signed Klay Thompson to a three-year, $50 million deal as part of a six-team sign-and-trade.
This trade expanding into a six-team deal ended up benefiting the Mavs, as they unexpectedly landed a second-round pick. Landing Thompson at this price was a steal, and they aced this trade.
Dallas landed one of the greatest shooters of all time with this move, and Thompson is ecstatic to be on the Mavs. Thompson spoke to the media for the first time on Tuesday during his introductory press conference alongside Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes, and he had plenty to say about this new chapter of his career.
The biggest takeaway from Thompson’s introductory presser is that he’s locked in on winning his fifth ring. He talked about how he envisioned himself fitting in on this team during the 2024 NBA Finals, and he also had plenty of good things to say about Dallas’ star duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
Thompson talked about how Irving was one of the first people to text him during his free agency, and their friendship goes way back, but he also talked about Doncic’s game and his overall thoughts on the young superstar.
Thompson said that Doncic reached out after the signing and let him know how excited he was, and Thompson praised how he “isn’t afraid of the moment.” He also praised Doncic’s ability to make those around him better.
This is one part of Doncic’s game that has been questioned by some talking heads and analysts, and one report went as far as to say that Doncic’s teammates feel relief when he steps off the floor. Doncic’s heliocentric playstyle has been hated by some, and Thompson’s take on him proves that they have Doncic all wrong.
Doncic is one of the greatest passers in this era, and Thompson talked about how he “elevates his teammates.” Thompson clearly sees how Doncic makes everyone around him better, and getting a compliment like this from a Hall of Famer shouldn’t be ignored.
The people who critique Doncic’s playstyle and his effect on his teammates will one day start to eat their words as players continue to speak up about how positive of an experience playing alongside him is, and he is only poised to get better.
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