Klay Thompson proves why Mavericks' gamble was well worth the risk

The Dallas Mavericks probably can't wait for training camp to start, especially since the team's NBA Finals run last season was followed by a fruitful offseason headlined by the bombshell sign-and-trade deal for Klay Thompson.

However, there are still some doubters who don't think the Mavs did well in providing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving the necessary support with this signing. There might be some validity behind that kind of belief, given that Thompson has already lost a step because of his age and after sustaining serious injuries several seasons ago.

Still, the four-time champion's strengths on both ends of the court appear to be a superb fit in Dallas.

Thompson shows why Mavericks signed him at Zeke-End Tournament

The organization and its fans must also be thrilled to know that Thompson looked a bit like his former self during an appearance on Zeke-End, an annual basketball competition hosted by two-time All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas.

Klay could be seen sinking high-difficulty midrange shots that used to be a fixture of his game in his prime. For years, the Golden State Warriors became an offensive juggernaut because of Stephen Curry's otherwordly shot creation and Draymond Green's elite playmaking. Kevin Durant's arrival also made it tough to defend the Warriors for several campaigns.

Sometimes forgotten, though, about Golden State's dynasty was that Thompson helped unlock its signature unstoppable offense.

Shaking off opponents with his off-ball movements, quickly taking perimeter shots off passes, sinking middies and 3-pointers even with a hand on his face, and putting the ball on the floor when needed were just some of his wide array of offensive weapons. And the five-time All-Star displayed some of them at Zeke-End 2024.

The excitement is already palpable in Dallas, more so after a virtual Thompson made an appearance on NBA 2K25's viral trailer, showing him drilling a long-distance shot off a pass from Doncic. There will be plenty more of that in real life once the regular season starts, as the sharpshooting wing is expected to lock up a starting spot alongside the Slovenian superstar and Irving.

The other presumed starters, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II, also stand to benefit from playing alongside Thompson because of his superior offensive gravity and ability to cover premier perimeter opponents on defense.

To read more about Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks as they prepare for what will likely be a thrilling 2024-25 regular season, stay plugged in with us.