Klay Thompson’s Mavericks Departure Is Good News For Houston Rockets

As reported by ESPN, Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat following a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. Throughout his two-season stint with the Mavericks, Thompson averaged 12.9 points on 40.3% field-goal shooting and 38.7% three-point shooting over 141 games.

The 36-year-old Thompson was set to earn $17.5 million in the final year of his contract with the Mavericks. After announcing that the franchise reached a buyout agreement with Thompson, Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri issued the following statement:

"Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization. We have tremendous respect for Klay and all that he has accomplished throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

How Does This Impact the Rockets?

The Houston Rockets play in the Southwest Division with the Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies. The Rockets finished behind the NBA Finals-bound Spurs, while the remainder of Houston’s divisional opponents failed to make the playoffs.

Despite Dallas’ mediocrity over the past year, the franchise held the Rockets to a 2-2 record during the regular season. Taking on a supporting role, Thompson contributed averages of 7.6 points on 30.7% three-point shooting throughout three appearances.

With Cooper Flagg capturing the Rookie of the Year title and Kyrie Irving expected to return from injury, the Mavericks are anticipated to have a higher ceiling than their 26-56 finish last season. In terms of offseason activity, Dallas made rotational retoolings by adding Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberovic, Zaccharie Risacher, and Marcus Sasser while parting ways with Marvin Bagley III, AJ Johnson, Khris Middleton, and Ryan Nembhard.

Although Thompson matched up below average against last year’s Rockets, he was still one of Dallas’ top offensive contributors coming off the bench. His anticipated move to Miami would push Risacher and Naji Marshall further up the depth chart, particularly leaving the shooting guard position more vulnerable due to the 21-year-old Risacher’s decrease in production and usage with the Atlanta Hawks.

With the departure of Thompson, although he adapted to the small forward position in the later part of his career, the Mavericks' backcourt will be particularly vulnerable. In addition to Irving’s ongoing injury concerns, Dallas’ starting shooting guard Max Christie is outperformed by Houston’s projected starter Amen Thompson across various statistical areas.

Overall, Thompson’s decision indicates that the Mavericks could be fighting another uphill battle next season. If Dallas doesn't improve from a Flagg and Irving partnership, Houston will have one less obstacle in the title picture.

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