Klay Thompson continues to play for the Dallas Mavericks, but his tenure in Dallas has been rocky, to say the least. Thompson’s Dallas journey has come with twists and turns after a messy Bay Area exit that included a sad end of the “Splash Brothers” era alongside Stephen Curry.
There’s a possible glimmer of hope, but Thompson joined the Mavericks for a self-described “fresh start” after being demoted to a bench role at the Warriors. However, his wishes weren’t fully fulfilled by his new NBA team.
The Mavs signed him to a three-year, $50 million deal in a rare six-team sign-and-trade deal in July 2024. The Mavs’ top need was to improve their three-point shooting, but the team’s struggles, injuries, and inconsistencies overshadowed the minor changes.
Despite initially averaging 11 to 12 points per game while shooting over 38% from the three-point line, his shooting slump became more evident as time went by. Age-related decline is inevitable, but his downfall is concerning. Will the all-time great be able to bounce back?
Why Klay Thompson Should Retire From the NBA
Thompson hasn’t officially retired from the NBA. However, just because there’s a lack of an official announcement, the retirement speculation regarding Thompson won’t stop anytime soon.
Some individuals interpreted his departure from the Golden State Warriors as a step toward retirement. He left the Warriors with four NBA championships and five NBA All-Star teams across 13 seasons.
Although he’s chasing a fifth championship with the Dallas Mavericks, there’s a chance that he fails to secure a role that matches his previous impact in the Bay Area. His age, speed, and injuries have visibly slowed as time has gone by.
Why Thompson Shouldn’t Retire From the NBA
Thompson was seen as a significant boost to the Mavericks’ offense. However, Thompson’s on-court struggles and off-court failures, such as his alleged cheating and mood swings with his ex-girlfriend, rapper Megan Thee Stallion, fueled speculation of an uncertain NBA future.
He hasn’t always been an ideal player for the Mavs, but his three-point percentage of 38.3% during the 2025-26 NBA season is notable for a veteran sharpshooter. He can still hit three-pointers at 36 years old.
Like in his final years in the Bay Area, his role was reduced in Dallas. However, he showcases his leadership in other, non-scoring ways by mentoring the next generation and maintaining a championship mindset.
Thompson’s Potential Post-Retirement Plans
Thompson’s retirement plans may include playing in the Big3, a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by rapper Ice Cube and media executive Jeff Kwatinetz, building a long-term partnership with Chinese sportswear brand Anta, and expanding basketball’s reach.
He is still under contract with the Mavericks until the end of the 2026-27 NBA season. If the Mavs don’t re-sign him, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in 2027 and can negotiate a new deal with any team.
He averaged a career-low 11.6 points per game with 37.5% accuracy from beyond the arc, another career-low for him, in 2025-26. His fit with the Mavs remains doubtful as the team entered a rebuild with Cooper Flagg at the helm.
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