The Dallas Mavericks, at one point, wanted Klay Thompson to be a central part of a Finals push. Since last season, however, his on-court production has taken a steady hit.
The Dallas Mavericks are all-in on their young core of Cooper Flagg, Ryan Nembhard, Naji Marshall, Max Christe, and, eventually, Dereck Lively II.
Add in the high lottery pick they will land this summer, and the Mavericks are ready to fully commit to a youth movement, even more than they already have.
Of course, the team still boasts proven veterans, namely Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. Both champions are under contract next season, and are expected to play a big role in Dallas' rejuvination around Flagg.
Thompson is owed $17.4 million next season, and his averages of 11.5 points on 37.8% shooting from 3-point range are hardly worth that sum. His veteran leadership brings value to the table, but Dallas has already replaced him.
Khris Middleton Is Driving Klay Thompson Out of Dallas
Since Khris Middleton arrived in Dallas by way of the capital in exchange for Anthony Davis, he has averaged a solid 12.7 points. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but after passing up a buyout, there is reason to believe that he wants to stay in Texas and help them build.
On the court, he is a more productive two-way player than Thompson and will likely re-sign for a fraction of the price. Off the court, he is also a champion and multi-time All-Star.
"Khris Middleton can offer the plus shooting and bring more to the rest of the game, from his playmaking to his foul-drawing to his defense," wrote FanSided's Josh Cornelissen. "Essentially, unless something surprising happens, every reasonable course of action for Dallas this summer involves moving on from Klay Thompson via trade or buyout."
If the Mavericks can sign Middleton to a reasonable deal, say, $20 million for two years with an option in 2027, then trading or buying out Thompson's contract seems to be an easy call. After all, the young roster doesn't need two aging wings to show them the ropes. There isn't enough room for both of them in the rotation next season.
Thompson signed with the Mavericks in an effort to team up with Luka Doncic. Those title hopes have long been dashed, and since Middleton is a better and cheaper player--who has already bought into his role on a rebuilding team when the Bucks traded him away--his fit in Dallas is better than Thompson's.
