Klay Thompson, known for holding records for most points in a single quarter and most three-pointers in a game, made waves this summer when he decided to leave the Golden State Warriors after 13 years to join the Dallas Mavericks. On September 30, during the team’s media day as he donned his new number 31 jersey, Thompson expressed his belief that Dallas has all the elements needed to contend for a championship.

“I’m feeling great. Coming here is like a fresh start, and it excites me,” Thompson said, reminiscing about rediscovering his love for basketball with the Mavericks. “I love this team, and I believe we have everything it takes to win a title.”

Despite facing fluctuations in performance last season, particularly during the play-in games, where some questioned his current value, Thompson remains confident in his ability to enhance the Mavericks’ offensive capabilities.

“Wearing this Mavericks jersey feels amazing. I think my playing style fits well with this team’s structure,” he noted. “Especially from the perimeter, my presence creates new spacing for the team’s offensive system. That’s why I decided to come here right from the start—I could see how close this team was to winning it all. We have a real chance to compete for a championship again.”

With star players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Thompson’s shooting will add pressure on opponents, making it harder for them to focus defensively, thus creating a more efficient offensive flow for the team. Additionally, Thompson’s role with the Mavericks is expected to be more streamlined, easing his offensive and defensive responsibilities compared to his time with the Warriors.

“The pick-and-roll ability of Doncic is the best I’ve ever seen. Playing with him will be a lot of fun because he draws so many defenders and opens up outside shooting opportunities,” Thompson shared.

On how he plans to integrate into the team’s system, he acknowledged the need to adapt quickly to the elite playmakers around him. “Back in my Warriors days, our offense revolved around ball movement.”

Doncic weighed in on Thompson’s impact, saying, “You can’t leave Thompson open. When Kyrie and I have the ball, we can’t afford to let him get open looks, so his addition is crucial for our spacing on the court.”