From Golden Legend to Supporting Role

The start of the season has been disastrous for the Dallas Mavericks, but the personal decline of Klay Thompson has been even more striking. The Texas franchise continues to struggle after the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving Jason Kidd scrambling to find answers amid a 2–6 start that includes a painful loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

In the middle of this turmoil stands Thompson, a player who went from being an NBA icon to a reserve role player. For the first time since 2012, the veteran guard came off the bench — a stunning change for someone who once defined an era with the Golden State Warriors, where he captured four championships and reached six NBA Finals alongside Stephen Curry under Steve Kerr.

Multiple serious injuries — a torn ACL followed by a ruptured Achilles tendon — sidelined Thompson for nearly two full seasons and changed his trajectory forever. Since returning, he has never fully regained his rhythm. His most recent appearance as a substitute was rock bottom: 0 points, 0-for-6 from the field, and 0-for-5 from three-point range. Unthinkable numbers for one of the best shooters the game has ever seen.

Jason Kidd’s Tough Call and a New Low for Thompson

Desperate for change, head coach Jason Kidd made the difficult decision to move Thompson to the bench in favor of D’Angelo Russell. It was a nearly unthinkable move considering Thompson had started 821 of his 874 career games. Yet, his decline left Kidd with no other choice.

Once the fifth all-time leader in three-pointers made, Thompson’s shot has completely deserted him. This season, he’s averaging just 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2 assists, shooting 31.4% from the field and 26.7% from beyond the arc — alarming figures for a player who built his career on deadly accuracy.

Both Kidd and Thompson have downplayed the situation, claiming the decision was “mutual,” and the veteran guard insists he feels “better than ever” and that “great things are coming.” Still, reports suggest that the Mavericks could be exploring trade options for him.

For a player who once stood at the heart of the Warriors’ dynasty, this fall is a harsh reminder of how quickly the game evolves. Klay Thompson, once the embodiment of precision and confidence, is now fighting not for championships — but for relevance — in what could be the twilight of his remarkable career.