This Is Not What the Mavericks Veteran Sharpshooter Signed Up For
When Klay Thompson decided to join the Dallas Mavericks, it seemed as though he was forming a big three alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. The prospect of playing with the team that made the NBA Finals last season, he probably believed he could have helped them secure that championship this season. However, things took a wild turn when, in February, the Mavericks shockingly traded Luka to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. No one thought of such a thing, and this was not on Klay’s bingo card.
Luka's departure altered the dynamics of the team and the NBA dramatically. Anthony Davis debuted for the Mavs and showcased his dominance on the court, having over 26 points and 16 rebounds before the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the excitement was short-lived. Davis suffered a non-contact injury in the third quarter, which sidelined him for an extended period. Possibly for the remainder of the season. This left Kyrie, Klay and the rest of the team in a state of uncertainty, as they now had to navigate the rest of the season without one of their star players.
As if that weren't enough for the Mavs, less than a few weeks later, they faced another devastating blow in their lineup when Kyrie Irving, who has been holding down the fort since the Luka trade, sustained a torn ACL. With this, Klay found himself isolated on the court with little support. What was once seen as a powerful big three had disintegrated into a challenging and lonely situation for Klay. He was left to shoulder the burden of leadership, trying to motivate a team that was struggling to find its identity without its star players.
The excitement surrounding the Mavs had rapidly faded, leaving fans and players alike feeling frustrated and disheartened, as well as betrayed. It almost goes without saying that Dallas has had one of, if not the, most heartbreaking two months for a franchise. Klay's dreams of competing for a championship are now unrealistic, replaced by a harsh reality filled with injuries. The Mavs can still make the Play-In Tournament, with all of the heartbreak and other injuries, Klay can’t do it on his own, and that is not what he signed up for.
