“Klay Thompson can put Luka Dončić and Mavericks 'over the top,' says GM Nico Harrison | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

After losing the 2024 NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics, the Dallas Mavericks believe they have found the missing piece to their title hopes with the signing of veteran shooting guard Klay Thompson this offseason.

“Honestly, after the Finals we felt like we were close to the top,” Mavs general manager Nico Harrison told SiriusXM NBA Radio’s Zach Harper.

In the NBA Finals against Boston, Dallas was doomed by subpar three-point shooting and the lack of a consistent third scorer behind star duo Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Thompson, who traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Mavs, is expected to make up for both deficiencies.

The 34-year-old helped lead the Warriors to four NBA championships during his tenure with the team since being drafted 11th overall in 2011. He is one of the greatest three-point shooters of all time and was once one of the best two-point shooters of all time. artillery guards in the NBA before injuries caused his downfall.

Thompson's final year in Golden State was marked by frustration as he struggled to perform consistently and ultimately dropped out of head coach Steve Kerr's rotation. He chose Dallas to play a larger role on a team that values ​​him as a key contributor.

For Thompson to lead the Mavs to the top, he'll have to do what he's done best throughout his career as an efficient three-point shooter. However, he went scoreless in Monday's 110-96 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after shooting 0 of 9 from the field and 0 of 6 from long range.

Thompson will need to be better when the Mavs open the 2024-25 season against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 24.