Mavericks Could Finally Put Klay Thompson in Position to Win the One Award Missing From His Career

The Dallas Mavericks enter the 2025-26 NBA season with plenty of intrigue surrounding their roster. Among the many storylines, one stands out as both unexpected and fascinating: Klay Thompson’s potential path to winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. For a player who has spent nearly his entire career as a starter and carved out a Hall of Fame résumé with the Golden State Warriors, the idea of Thompson thriving off the bench in Dallas seems almost surreal. Yet, under Jason Kidd’s coaching vision, this scenario is more realistic than ever.

Thompson has already achieved nearly everything a player could dream of—four championships, five All-Star selections, All-NBA nods, and even recognition for his defense. But there’s one accolade missing from his decorated career: being crowned the league’s best bench player. Now, at 35 years old and joining a Mavericks squad with incredible depth, Thompson might finally be in the perfect position to add that missing piece of hardware.

A Career Full of Accolades

When fans think of Klay Thompson, they immediately recall his historic shooting performances and his role as one-half of the Splash Brothers alongside Stephen Curry. Over 12 years with Golden State, he established himself as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, recording iconic moments such as his 37-point quarter against the Sacramento Kings and his 60-point game on just 11 dribbles.

His résumé speaks for itself:

• 4× NBA Champion

• 5× NBA All-Star

• 2× All-NBA Third Team

• 1× NBA All-Defensive Second Team

Despite all these achievements, Thompson has never been in contention for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. That’s largely because he has been a staple in the starting lineup, except for his rookie season. But now, with a new chapter in Dallas and Kidd’s experiments with a jumbo-sized starting five, the stars could align for Thompson to chase the one accolade he has yet to touch.

Jason Kidd’s Lineup Experiment

Throughout the offseason, Jason Kidd has hinted at experimenting with an unconventional but potentially dominant starting five. The lineup could include D’Angelo Russell, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II—a unit brimming with size, defense, and versatility. This would push Thompson to the bench, not because of a lack of ability, but because of Kidd’s desire to maximize team balance.

Replacing Thompson with Washington in the starting lineup gives Dallas one of the NBA’s most imposing defensive groups. Davis and Lively would dominate the paint, while Washington and Flagg could switch seamlessly on the perimeter. The tradeoff, of course, would be Thompson’s absence as a starter, which removes one of the league’s deadliest shooters from the opening unit.

Still, Kidd could view Thompson’s firepower off the bench as the ultimate weapon—a spark plug who could change games in an instant. If the experiment works, it might set Thompson up for a career-first award.

The Eligibility Factor

For Thompson to be eligible for Sixth Man of the Year, he would need to meet a few simple requirements: play at least 65 games and come off the bench for more games than he starts. If Kidd commits to the jumbo lineup for most of the season, Thompson will easily qualify.

This decision could place him at the forefront of the Sixth Man conversation, especially if Dallas thrives in the Western Conference standings. History shows that award voters tend to reward impact players on winning teams, and Thompson’s combination of efficiency, leadership, and scoring could make him the perfect candidate.

Why a Bench Role Could Benefit Thompson

While some veterans might resist a move to the bench, Thompson could thrive in this new role for several reasons. First, it would allow him to operate with more offensive freedom. On a starting unit crowded with stars like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving (once healthy), and Cooper Flagg, Thompson might not have the same volume of touches.

As the leader of the second unit, however, Thompson could command the offense more frequently. This would not only increase his scoring opportunities but also allow him to explore more on-ball creation, something he rarely did in Golden State’s motion-heavy offense. Mavericks fans could see a version of Thompson who is more aggressive, attacking off the dribble while still running off screens for catch-and-shoot threes.

Additionally, a bench role could help preserve Thompson’s body. At 35, after recovering from multiple devastating injuries earlier in his career, limiting the wear and tear of guarding elite starters every night might extend his effectiveness for years to come.

Dallas’ Second Unit Could Be Deadly

If Thompson does move to the bench, he won’t be doing it alone. The Mavericks’ second unit already features intriguing depth with players like Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, and Max Christie. With Thompson leading the charge, Dallas would instantly boast one of the most dangerous bench mobs in the league.

Imagine a lineup where Gafford dominates the paint, Marshall brings energy on the wing, and Thompson spaces the floor with his lethal shooting. Few second units could match that combination of scoring, defense, and experience.

The presence of Thompson also adds a psychological edge. Opponents often feel relief when stars head to the bench, but having a future Hall of Famer come in instead would be deflating. Thompson’s shooting gravity alone could tilt games in Dallas’ favor, making the Mavericks a nightmare to face over 48 minutes.

Motivation to Prove Himself

There’s also the motivational angle. Thompson is a competitor at heart, and transitioning into a new role could fuel him to prove that he is still among the NBA’s most impactful players. Coming off the bench doesn’t mean he isn’t a starter-level talent—it simply allows Dallas to optimize its rotation.

That chip on his shoulder could drive him to produce one of the most memorable seasons of his career. If Thompson averages somewhere between 15–18 points per game with elite shooting percentages while anchoring the bench unit, he would immediately become a frontrunner for Sixth Man honors.

A Historic Opportunity

If Thompson wins Sixth Man of the Year, it would not only be a personal milestone but also a historic achievement for the Mavericks. Dallas has not had a Sixth Man winner since Jason Terry in 2009, when the sharpshooter played a pivotal role in leading the team’s second unit. Adding Thompson’s name to that legacy would be another feather in the cap of a franchise that has been chasing hardware since their 2011 championship run.

For Thompson, it would round out one of the most complete résumés in NBA history. Championships, All-Star selections, All-NBA recognition, defensive honors—and finally, Sixth Man of the Year. It would be a testament to his ability to adapt, evolve, and continue impacting the game even as his role changes.

Final Thoughts

The 2025-26 season represents a fascinating chapter for both the Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson. While he has spent over a decade as a starter and cornerstone, a move to the bench could unlock a new level of impact for the veteran guard. More importantly, it could place him in prime position to win the one major award missing from his career.

With his shooting, leadership, and competitive spirit, Thompson has all the tools to become the league’s most impactful bench player. If Jason Kidd commits to the jumbo lineup and Thompson embraces the role, the Mavericks could not only elevate their championship aspirations but also help Thompson etch his name once again in NBA history—this time as a Sixth Man of the Year.