Mavericks' 'biggest nightmare' involving Klay Thompson is a complete joke

The NBA world was buzzing when the Dallas Mavericks signed Klay Thompson to a three-year deal early into free agency.

The Mavs were searching for more shooting after a disappointing loss to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, and they were able to eradicate that need with the addition of Thompson. He is one of the greatest shooters to ever play the game, and every Mavs fan can't wait to see him in his No. 31 Mavs jersey for the first time.

The excitement is through the roof for Mavs fans when it comes to the team's potential for next season, but one detail about Thompson and his potential fit in Dallas continues to get doubted and overblown. Some have already called for Thompson to lose his starting spot in favor of Naji Marshall, and the Thompson strays continue to fly the Mavs' way.

Mavericks can thrive without Klay Thompson being an elite defender

Bleacher Report's Dan Favale recently broke down "Every Fanbase's Worst Nightmare for the 2024-25 NBA Season," and his nightmare that goes with the Mavs has to do with Thompson.

Favale said the nightmare for Mavs fans is that "significant minutes for Klay Thompson compromise the defense."

It's clear that Thompson is going to get big minutes, and likely be the starter to begin the season, but the doubts that go along with Thompson and his defense are going way too far. It's fair to say that Thompson isn't the defender he once was, but Dallas' defense got better this offseason, not worse.

All of the media is seemingly thinking that Thompson's defense is going to doom the Mavericks, but he won't be forced to be the lockdown defender that he was back in the day. This isn't to say that Thompson won't see his fair share of tough defensive matchups, but Jason Kidd has this under control.

Marshall and Quentin Grimes are both elite defenders, and if Dallas' defense is struggling he can sub one of them in for Thompson, or he can play alongside them. Thompson doesn't have to share the floor with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving at all times, and Dallas' lineup flexibility is going to help Thompson not be forced to be an elite defensive stopper.

Not to mention that Thompson's offensive impact will make up for any of his defensive shortcomings. Thompson averaged 17.9 points per game while shooting 38.7 percent from downtown last season, and his shooting is going to make the Mavericks dangerous. Especially when he's sharing the floor with Luka Doncic.

His excellence as a shooter is going to make everyone forget about his defense at this point in his career, and the Mavs are going to have a completely new wrinkle to how they play now that Thompson is on the squad.

None of this is to say that Thompson is going to be outstanding on defense, but he isn't going to be the liability that many people are labeling him to be. Thompson is fully focused on winning, and although his defensive fit may take time, Kidd is going to figure it out and put him in a position to succeed.

Players are at their best when playing with motivation, and Thompson seems extremely motivated to show the world the type of player he still is. Thompson felt disrespected during the end of his time with the Golden State Warriors, and a stellar season in Dallas would silence all of the doubters.

Teams are going to test Thompson early on, but his defense should end up being better than he is getting credit for. He doesn't have the same lateral quickness that he once possessed before his major injuries, but he can defend bigger wings and has a good basketball IQ.

Thompson likely won't be called upon to guard the other team's best player like he once was, but the Mavs are going to figure this out handily. Kidd will have to rely upon P.J. Washington, Grimes, and Marshall heavily at times on defense, but they are more than capable of picking up the slack whenever they are needed.