Klay Thompson is already proving his bold Mavericks promise is real

Klay Thompson is already becoming the leader that he promised to be for the Dallas Mavericks ahead of next season, and the team's bonding event in Newport Beach earlier this month proves just that. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Thompson wanted the team to get together for a "bonding camp" in California before the offseason ended, and many Mavericks made the trip to spend time with teammates and get some on-court work in.

"Among those teams is the Mavericks, who I'm told — at the urging of sharpshooter Klay Thompson — got together for a well-attended bonding camp in Newport Beach in early September," Stein reported.

The Mavericks who attended this camp worked out together on the floor, and off the floor, Anthony Davis hosted dinner one evening. Davis did not get to participate in any of the on-court work as he is still recovering from eye surgery that he had back in July, but the fact that he was there supporting his teammates is definitely positive.

Klay Thompson is becoming a leader at the perfect time

Davis is in need of a big season after being injured for most of his first season in Dallas, and he and Thompson will be pivotal when it comes to the Mavs' success moving forward. Thompson enters the 2025-26 season after a solid first season in Dallas, where he averaged 14.0 points per game and shot 39.1 percent from downtown, but his impact this season will depend on much more than his stats.

They need him to continue to thrive as a leader on and off the floor, as Kyrie Irving is set to be out indefinitely with a torn ACL to begin next season, and he should be able to replace some of the leadership Irving leaves behind.

Earlier this offseason, Thompson talked about stepping up as a vocal leader, something that he never did for the Golden State Warriors, and he is making a great start on turning that statement into a reality. He has barely been on the Mavericks for a year, but inviting his teammates out to California to bond on and off the court shows that he is taking this progression seriously.

He did something similar last summer, as he planned a boat trip for his new teammates during their trip to Los Angeles ahead of training camp, and he is clearly fitting into Dallas nicely. Even after having his role change significantly after the Luka Doncic trade, Thompson hasn't complained once, and he is fully locked in on being the best version of himself.

Nico Harrison's focus on Mavericks culture over the last few years has truly paid off, and this locker room loves playing for one another. Even at the end of the season last year, when the Mavericks were nearly forced to forfeit games, they never gave up.

Everyone played as hard as they could until the very end, including Thompson, and the 2025-26 season could be revolutionary for him. He has been in headlines for his new relationship with Megan Thee Stallion, but Mavericks fans will quickly see that he has been in the lab this summer as well.

A clip of him draining 72 3-pointers in a row went viral earlier this offseason, and his on-court focus combined with his dedication to being a top leader in Dallas will pay off right away. During his time in the Bay, Thompson never had to lead with his voice, as players like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and even Andre Iguodala were the clear leaders, but this year in Dallas will be different.

He is fully embracing being a leader as he continues down the home stretch of his career, and his leadership will be crucial in the team staying in a positive headspace while Irving is sidelined.