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Former Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson's stint with the Dallas Mavericks hasn't gone as he hoped.
The team has fallen to 2-6 following thier 101-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, in a game in which the four-time champ posted 11 points. However, his poor play throughout the season has been hard to ignore.
The veteran sharp shooter has been benched in favor of D'Angelo Russell—a significant adjustment in hopes of adding some life into a struggling Mavericks offense.
Despite being relegated to the second unit, Thompson is embracing the new role he has found himself in during this early stretch of the season.
"I don't mind," Thompson said of not starting, via Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. "I'm going to play. I'm gonna do great things. That's coming. I know it is."
Thompson hasn't looked like his old self to start the year. The future Hall of Fame guard is off to his worst statistical start of his career, averaging 8.5 points per game while shooting 34.2% from the field and 29.2% from behind the arc.
The Mavericks are still trying to find a spark this early in the season. No one overall pick Cooper Flagg has played well, coming off his best performance this far into the season, dropping 20 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two blocks in their matchup against the Pelicans; however, his performance wasn't enough to seal the win for the Mavs.
The team is dealing with significant injuries to several key stars, notably Anthony Davis, who is out due to a calf injury.
Thompson responded well to the benching, head coach Jason Kidd praised his attitue after being moved to the bench.
When we have a point guard on the floor, it's been alright. Talked to Klay. I said, ‘This isn't a permanent thing, but can you come off the bench?' He was good with it. I thought his coming off the bench gave us a spark,” said Kidd, as reported by The Dallas Morning News' Mike Curtis.
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