Klay Thompson eagerly reunites with D’Angelo Russell in Dallas: A promising new chapter

For years, NBA fans wondered what could have been if Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell had shared the court during their brief time as Golden State Warriors teammates in 2019-20. Now, in an unexpected twist, that partnership will finally take shape—but not in the Bay Area. Instead, it will happen on the star-studded roster of the Dallas Mavericks, a team poised to remain competitive while Kyrie Irving recovers from his ACL injury.

Though Thompson and Russell were technically teammates in Golden State, Klay never suited up during Russell’s 33-game stint with the Warriors due to his ACL rehab. Years later, the two are finally ready to join forces in Dallas, and both players appear eager to maximize this second chance.

D’Angelo Russell: The Mavericks’ Stopgap Point Guard

With Kyrie Irving sidelined indefinitely, the Mavericks were in urgent need of a starting point guard who could not only hold down the fort but also elevate their talented roster. Enter D’Angelo Russell, a seasoned veteran who has bounced between the Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Warriors. While Russell may not be an elite floor general, he is a steady scorer and playmaker, capable of running an NBA offense efficiently.

Russell agreed to a two-year, $11.6 million deal, a manageable contract for a Mavericks team already carrying large salaries from Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson. For Dallas, the move is a calculated risk to keep the team afloat in the Western Conference playoff race.

A Perfect Fit for Dallas’ New-Look Offense

With weapons like Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Cooper Flagg, and Anthony Davis, Russell won’t be asked to carry the offensive load like he did earlier in his career. Instead, his job will be to facilitate the offense, create scoring opportunities for others, and run the pick-and-roll effectively with Davis.

The Mavericks’ offense should be dynamic with Russell at the helm:

• Thompson’s off-ball movement remains elite.

• Anthony Davis gives Russell a reliable pick-and-roll partner.

• PJ Washington’s floor spacing will open driving lanes.

• Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick, will inject youthful energy and versatility.

Russell’s ability to distribute the ball to these weapons should make the Mavericks an offensive force, even without Kyrie.

Thompson and Russell Finally Share the Court

One of the more heartwarming subplots in this move is Thompson and Russell’s reunion. After years of missed opportunity, the two veterans were finally spotted working out together in Miami—a glimpse into the chemistry they’re beginning to build.

Klay Thompson, one of the best catch-and-shoot players in NBA history, thrives when paired with point guards who can get him the ball in his sweet spots. While Russell doesn’t have the court vision of Stephen Curry or Luka Doncic, his playmaking is good enough to allow Thompson to hunt for shots in rhythm.

“D’Lo’s a guy I’ve always respected,” Thompson said during a recent media session. “We never got to share the court in Golden State, but I’m excited to finally get the chance now. He’s smooth, he’s smart, and he knows how to play the game the right way.”

A Formidable Mavericks Starting Lineup

When Kyrie Irving eventually returns, the Mavericks could have one of the deepest rosters in the league. But until then, their starting lineup is expected to look like this:

• PG: D’Angelo Russell

• SG: Klay Thompson

• SF: Cooper Flagg

• PF: PJ Washington

• C: Anthony Davis

That lineup offers a potent mix of shooting, defense, and playmaking. And if Flagg lives up to his Rookie of the Year expectations, the Mavericks will have an elite two-way threat on the wing alongside Thompson.

Thompson Embracing a New Role in Dallas

During his time with the Warriors, Thompson was a core piece of the offense alongside Curry, Durant, and later Jordan Poole. But in Dallas, with Luka Doncic and eventually Kyrie Irving orchestrating the offense, Thompson has embraced being a pure off-ball scorer.

Russell’s arrival allows Thompson to stay in that role. He can focus on what he does best: relocating, spotting up, and torching defenses from deep. For a player coming off multiple injury-plagued seasons, simplifying his offensive load could help prolong his career.

Will This Be the Second-Best Team Thompson Has Played For?

While the 2016-17 Warriors remain the greatest team Thompson has played for, the 2025-26 Mavericks could realistically be the second-best.

Consider the star power:

• Anthony Davis, when healthy, is a top-10 player in the league.

• Klay Thompson, still deadly when healthy.

• Cooper Flagg, a generational rookie talent.

• D’Angelo Russell, a capable veteran floor general.

• And eventually, Kyrie Irving, one of the most gifted scorers of his generation.

If this roster gels, Dallas could be a top-four seed in the West and a legitimate championship contender.

Russell’s Chance for Redemption

D’Angelo Russell’s career has been a rollercoaster. After being an All-Star in Brooklyn, he’s struggled to find a long-term home. Now 29, Russell knows this may be his last real opportunity to lead a contender.

His reputation has taken hits for inconsistent defense and questionable shot selection, but in Dallas, surrounded by talent, he won’t need to play hero ball. Instead, he can focus on:

• Efficient playmaking

• Limiting turnovers

• Finding shooters like Thompson and Flagg

• Feeding Davis in the paint

Flagg’s Development Could Define This Team’s Ceiling

Another wild card in this equation is Cooper Flagg. The 19-year-old rookie is expected to be a transformative player for the Mavericks, bringing elite defense, athleticism, and basketball IQ. His development will not only ease the scoring burden on Russell and Thompson but could also elevate the Mavericks’ defense into the top tier of the NBA.

Russell’s job will partly be to mentor Flagg on the offensive side, helping him adjust to NBA defensive coverages and maximizing his off-ball movement.

Thompson on Mentoring Flagg and Supporting Russell

Klay Thompson has embraced a leadership role in Dallas. Speaking about Russell and Flagg, he said:

“D’Lo’s been around, he knows how to run a team. And Coop? He’s special. I just want to help both of them however I can. Whether it’s spacing the floor, making the extra pass, or getting a stop. We’re in this together.”

It’s clear that Thompson sees his role as more than just a scorer—he’s also there to help integrate Russell and mentor Flagg into the Mavericks’ championship culture.

Looking Ahead: Can the Mavericks Stay in the West’s Elite?

The Western Conference remains brutally competitive, with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors reloading this offseason. But with a core built around Davis, Doncic, Irving, Thompson, and now Russell, the Mavericks are firmly in the mix.

The big question is health. Anthony Davis, Irving, and Thompson have all struggled with injuries. Russell will be asked to steady the ship in their absence, particularly early in the season.

Final Thoughts: The Reunion Dallas Didn’t Know It Needed

When the Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell, few expected it would also reunite him with Klay Thompson. But as preseason workouts begin and the chemistry builds, this unlikely pairing could prove to be one of the smartest moves of the summer.

For Klay Thompson, it’s about chasing another ring. For D’Angelo Russell, it’s about proving he still belongs among the NBA’s starting point guards. And for the Mavericks, it’s about staying in the championship hunt, even with Kyrie Irving out.

Dallas might not be the Warriors of old, but for Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell, this is the second chance they never got in Golden State—and they plan to make the most of it.