Mavericks quietly hold an underrated Klay Thompson trade advantage

If there were an imaginary trade block for the Dallas Mavericks, Klay Thompson would likely sit near the top of it. At 36 years old, he's no longer a long-term fit alongside Dallas' younger core, which, conversely, could lead some to believe he'd have limited trade value around the league.

However, Thompson possesses one trait that contenders and rebuilding teams alike often covet: an expiring contract. Entering the final season of his $17.5 million deal, Thompson gives the Mavericks a level of financial flexibility that could make him one of their most valuable trade chips. This is an advantage that most Mavericks fans wouldn't have expected as the sharpshooter enters his third season with Dallas.

Klay Thompson’s expiring deal gives Mavericks unexpected trade value

Typically, aging players coming off career-worst seasons aren't highly sought after on the trade market. Thompson averaged career lows in nearly every major statistical category, shot less than 40.0 percent from the field, and continued to decline defensively.

Yet despite those concerns, he remains one of the NBA's most respected perimeter snipers, knocking down more than 200 three-pointers at better than 38.0 percent for the 11th time in his career.

In the end, though, Thompson's shooting may not even be the primary reason teams show interest. His contract is the bigger draw. Entering the final season of a three-year, $50 million deal, Thompson carries a manageable salary plus an expiring contract. Two traits that appeal to teams seeking financial flexibility (hint: basically every team). That combination gives Dallas considerable freedom to explore trade options should they decide to move the veteran sharpshooter.

While the idea of trading Thompson may have seemed speculative, it's becoming increasingly plausible (subscription required). According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Thompson is "drawing particular notice now that he's entering the final season of his current contract…"

Stein also identified Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington as Mavericks who could surface in trade talks. Yet it was Thompson who drew attention. While he's arguably the least valuable of the three, his expiring $17.5 million contract gives him a unique form of value. In an NBA increasingly driven by cap management and roster flexibility, that alone could make Thompson one of Dallas' most attractive trade pieces.

Why Thompson is still a valuable asset

Instead of being burdened by a veteran who no longer aligns with the franchise's timeline, the Mavericks have stumbled into an unlikely advantage. Thompson's expiring contract gives Dallas a valuable trade chip and a level of flexibility that was far from expected when he signed two years ago.

While Gafford and Washington offer more value than Thompson both now and over the long term, their contracts run through at least 2029. That added team control is relatively attractive to some franchises, but it also requires any acquiring team to make a multi-year commitment, unlike Thompson's expiring deal.

Ultimately, the Mavericks’ Thompson situation highlights how quickly value can shift in today’s NBA. On paper, he may no longer resemble the same two-way force he once was, and his age limits his long-term fit alongside Dallas’ core. But in practice, his expiring $17.5 million contract turns him into something more than just a declining veteran — providing the Mavericks with an underrated trade advantage.

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