Veteran guard Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks has played in the NBA long enough to understand that nothing is certain.
Thompson responded candidly when asked if he expected to be in Dallas the following season, seemingly alluding to the surprising trade that sent star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last year.
Klay Thompson was asked if he anticipates being in Dallas next season.
“That’s a hard hitter. I’m not sure. I’m under contract so I do, but I’ve definitely learned in my time in Dallas that things can change on a dime.” pic.twitter.com/qzV08skX5B
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) April 13, 2026
Following the Mavs‘ 149-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Sunday’s regular-season finale, Thompson informed reporters:
“That’s a hard hitter. I’m not sure. I’m under contract, so I do, but I’ve definitely learned in my time in Dallas that things can change on a dime,”. “So I’m just here to have a great time and put my best foot forward. That’s all you can do.”
“That’s the hardest part about being an NBA player,”. “They think they pay you for the records broken or the rings won, but it’s really that they pay you for being able to be traded, being on the road away from your family on a consistent basis, going through injuries and all this stuff that the common fan doesn’t see that really makes it difficult.”
After playing his whole career with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson was seen as a missing component for a club that had just made it to the NBA Finals when he joined the Mavs.
Doncic was supposed to benefit from his shooting, space, and experienced presence, but they scarcely had an opportunity to play together before Doncic was traded to the Lakers.
Dallas finished this season with a 26-56 record, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. It’s unclear if the Mavs want to retain Thompson because he will be eligible for a $17.5 million cap hit in the upcoming season.
Thompson said he’s prepared for whatever comes and that the league is full with players who are concerned about their futures.
