Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will now share the floor with two of perhaps the league’s most talented players, as the Slovenian's hunt for a first ring continues in his seventh year in the league.
"Championship," Doncic said of the Mavericks’ approach heading to the upcoming 2024-25 season. "That's the goal."
Luka Doncic on his one word for the Dallas Mavericks upcoming 2024-25 season:
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) September 30, 2024
“Championship.”
(via @JoeyMistretta_) pic.twitter.com/cBMBMKcLni
In hopes of addressing their three-point shooting woes that were exposed in the five-game Finals loss against eventual champions Boston Celtics, Dallas added a three-point threat in Thompson, a career 41.3% shooter from deep, to their roster in the offseason.
He spent his first 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors where he blossomed into one the game’s best two-way players and prolific marksman.
[ALSO READ: Sea Captain is out: Klay Thompson bids farewell to Warriors, Dub Nation]
Doncic lauded the Mavericks’ move in bringing the sharpshooter into their fold.
“He’s a four-time champion, he’s an amazing player, so I was very excited that he signed with us. I can’t wait to play with him."
The Slovenian superstar also imagined what it would be like him and Irving playing alongside Thompson.
"You basically can’t help off him. When me and [Kyrie] have the ball, you basically can’t help from Klay because if you leave him wide open he’s going to make it, so I think the spacing is going to be crucial for us."
"You basically can't help off him."
— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
Luka previews what it'll look like playing alongside Klay Thompson 👀#NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/V0eFllDCcX
Speaking of Irving, the superstar guard believes the Mavericks are bound to finally complete the job now that Thompson is on board.
"I feel like our dreams can be possible because he's here now. He's added a great value to our championship aspirations."
Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving provided my favorite quote today when talking about the addition of Klay Thompson saying:
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) October 1, 2024
"I feel like our dreams can be possible because he's here now..."
High praise from Kai on his new teammate! #MFFL
(🎥: @dallasmavs) pic.twitter.com/KayRYx8fvV
The 32-year-old shifty guard played a big part in recruiting Thompson to Dallas and said his own time with the Mavericks helped a lot.
"If you ask any of us, we feel like we got better as a team," Irving said. "It's easy to... convince Klay to come here because of what I have experienced thus far in the past year and a half of just being welcomed and embraced.
“Being here in Dallas gave him an outsider's view of what it could be like for him. I'm excited he decided to come here.”
Kyrie Irving said it was easy to “convince” Klay Thompson, gave him his experience the past 1.5 years. Being welcomed and embraced, protection on and off the court and Mavs going out of their way to make you feel special.
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) September 30, 2024
He said championship dreams can be possible w/ Klay here. pic.twitter.com/CS3IGQT8ul
As to the man himself, Thompson said he believes his game "complements the roster very well", noting he will bring "a whole new dimension" to the Mavericks offense.
"From an X's and O's standpoint, I'll have to adjust to maybe playing off such good creators," the four-time NBA champion said.
Coming off a season where he averaged 17.9 points on a 38.7% clip from three in 77 games played, Thompson admits this is the most important preseason he will be in as he tries to familiarize with the Dallas’ system.
[ALSO READ: 'You still can't leave me open': Klay Thompson believes joining Mavericks 'can spur greatness,' speaks on leaving Warriors]
"I think it will take a couple weeks just to get used to this new system, but luckily opening night is not until [Oct. 24].”
“So this preseason might be the most important one I've had in so many years, and I can't wait to get going tomorrow and learn this system. But I do know I'm a hooper, so I can adjust accordingly and I look forward to doing that."
The Mavs lost Derrick Jones Jr., Josh Green, and Tim Hardaway Jr. in the offseason but added Thompson, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes.
"This is a different team. We have to be hungry, we haven't done anything. We came in second," head coach Jason Kidd emphasized.
"The expectations are extremely high and I think everyone is comfortable with that. We're not going to run from the expectations."
(With reports from the Associated Press)"We're not going to run from the expectations, we're going to work." @RealJasonKidd kicking off Media Day🏀@ATT | #MFFL #MavsMediaDay pic.twitter.com/1XZrCMTSlC
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) September 30, 2024
