Trade & FA 2024-25:

[audiosway]

Point is that people weren't happy with THJ. Even in his best season. And the below average season from Klay isn't a random occurrence in his prime. He is in his mid 30s and hasn't been the same after his injuries. Is on a downwards trajectory. All-NBA level defense is a thing of the past and even his shooting percentages are trending in the wrong direction.
We can talk ourselves into all kinds of scenarios where he has a throwback season with the Mavs. But we should also consider that the Mavs have made the same mistake in the past. Invested assets/capspace and ended up with the corpse of a former great.

If the stories are to be believed I can actually see why Dallas would be interested in Klay. I live in the Bay Area and still keep up with the Warriors as well. It's true that Klay can't move the way he could 4-5 years ago. It happens. He has recovered from the Knee and Achilles just fine.

Coming off of a screen there is no one more deadly. The guy is just a pure sniper. He is the kind of sniper I was talking about that the Mavs desperately need. THJ has never played as well as Klay even now. At 33 Klay still plays better defense than THJ ever has. He's an above average defender despite what the stats show. He has the length and BBIQ to still play solid defense.

There aren't any videos from this season but here is one from the 21-22 season when Klay was 31-32. He can't move his feet laterally like he used to but he still has no problem moving the ball handler into help forcing his will on them. He is very strong and can defend well in the post also. He is strong, active hands, good anticipation, and most importantly his BBIQ is off the charts. Those guys age well.



The reason this season wasn't as good for him and the Warriors was the addition of CP3. They are also trying to work in young players since the core is getting older. The shooting is not something that will go on him. Granted, he is going to have a couple of duds a year like any shooter but he always bounces back next game. For example, he had an 0-10 night last season and followed it up 25 shooting 50% from 3.

As a starter he can comfortably give you 28-29 minutes a night of solid 2 way play. He will also still have nights of 30+ points as well. He had a season high 35 last year. Most of the time you'll get 18-25 points a game from him with solid defense. His passing is also heavily underrated. He moves the ball to the right man.

Another thing that is not being recognized here by fans is that this guy has ice in his veins. He's got 4 titles. He is not going to flinch. He will stay cool headed and be a serious calming influence on the young guys including Luka. He brings a championship swagger with him. Imagine the influence he could have on guys like PJ, Grimes, O-Max, Hardy, etc. It would also set it up where you can put him at the 3 and mitigate the loss in speed. He generally plays the 3 anyway. That would have PJ at the 4. That's a very solid pairing.

The defense will get better alone due to teaching guys from his experience. The shooting of the team will likely improve as well. He is one of the best pure shooters of all time. That stuff tends to rub off.