The Dallas Mavericks' three-point marksman has gotten accustomed to his new role off the bench as the team's depth has been hobbled.
The Dallas Mavericks' depth took another hit with Anthony Davis going down on Christmas Day with a strained groin that will keep him out of the next few games.
"In this business, you’re going to have to learn how to hit the curveball," Max Christie said as the Mavs navigate another stretch of personnel uncertainty.
"It’s a next-man-up mentality, but also for us as a staff, [it’s a chance] to figure out who can do what,” coach Jason Kidd said. "In this league, you have to give everyone a fair shot before you can understand what guys can do and put them in a position to be successful."
Davis sat for the 17th time in the Mavs' turnover-plagued loss at the Sacramento Kings 113-107 on Saturday. This weekend, the trade buzz around Davis has been increasing in volume with a report that numerous times might be intrigued.
Time will tell if the Mavericks reciprocate interest, and not just with Davis, but other assets such as Daniel Gafford or Klay Thompson, before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Gafford has been sufficient in his minutes since the news of a season-ending surgery for Dereck Lively II, but Thompson has been among Dallas' most surging players over the last month.
The veteran sharpshooter was quoted as saying that he wants to experience the twilight of his career on a contending team and possibly pursue a fifth NBA Championship. Though the Mavs are currently out of the playoff picture and have a long way to go in title aspirations, the team can still find value in Thompson's services, especially if he keeps up his current pace.
Since moving to an off-the-bench role nearly two months ago, "Captain Klay" has the stroke that will one day earn him a seat in the Hall of Fame.
He's averaging 12 points on 38 percent shooting from three-point range off the bench - drastically improved numbers from the 8.8 points and 25 percent clip while in the starting five to begin the season.
“For Klay, coming off the bench he’s been great,” Kidd said. “He’s playing his role at a very high level for us. Being able to anchor that second group, being able to get shots for him and then just his voice, not just on the bench or in the locker room, but also on the floor. For our young players, he’s been great.”
Thompson was offered a lot of wisdom to the new face of the franchise in rookie Cooper Flagg, who continues to improve game after game and also has enjoyed one of the best months of basketball across the Association.
On Christmas, Thompson hit a lull in his production by hitting just one three-pointer and finishing with seven points in his return to the Bay Area against the Golden State Warriors. His former coach Steve Kerr watched on with Stephen Curry as the old "Splash Bro" has adapted to a new position on his new team.
“He’s handling his latter years well in terms of accepting a new role and playing that role well,” Kerr said before Thursday's game. “We know as soon as Klay comes on the floor, we got to be aware of where he is. We watched it forever. The roof can come off the building with him. He’s still capable of all that.”
The game prior to Golden State, Thompson hit five threes (one off a tying a season-high). Against the Kings, he found the stroke again and connected on four triples, a part of a 14-point first-half heater.
Thompson's reliability will continue to be utilized by a Mavericks team that lacks scoring options outside of Flagg now that Davis and Kyrie Irving are sidelined together again.
With regards to the upcoming trade deadline, Thompson's increased play can either help him avoid being traded so that he can continue finding success in this role in his second full season in Dallas, or potentially help the Mavericks as his increased production is leveraged into a greater trade package received than any deal that would've been available months ago.
For now, Dallas will carry Thompson's hot hand into the final game of the calendar year at the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.