Thompson: Doncic is the Best Pick-and-Roll Player I’ve Ever Seen, and My Job is to Adapt to His Style

On October 3rd, after playing for the same team for 13 years, Klay Thompson will need some time to adjust to the new offensive style of the Dallas Mavericks in the upcoming season.

On Monday, during Media Day, Thompson was asked by reporters what he thought would be the biggest adjustment for him during training camp and the early part of the 2024-25 season.

He said, “I have to adapt to playing with such an excellent playmaker. In Golden State, the offense was heavily reliant on ball movement. Over the past few days, playing with Luka Doncic, his pick-and-roll ability might be the best I’ve ever seen. Playing these games with him will be fun because he draws a lot of attention, leaving me with many open shots from beyond the arc, so I’ll knock them down there. I think it will take a few weeks to get used to this new system, but fortunately, the season opener isn’t until the 22nd, so this preseason may be the most important one I’ve had in years… I know I’m a basketball player, and I can make the necessary adjustments, and I look forward to doing so.”

Thompson’s average number of screen-offense plays (5.6) and points scored (6.2) per game in the 2023-24 season were more than the total of the entire Mavericks team (3.6 plays, 3.2 points). He provides a unique offensive weapon for Dallas but knows he must adapt to Doncic.

“It’s exciting. It adds an entirely new dimension to our team. A player like me just needs to cut to the basket or use off-ball screens, drawing and moving two defenders,” Thompson added. “But I obviously have to adapt to Luka; Luka is the system, he’s the frontrunner for MVP, and that’s also one of the main reasons I came here, to help alleviate the pressure he faces every night and the defense he goes up against.”

After signing a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas team during the offseason, Thompson is adapting to his new team.