Klay Thompson Becomes the Painkiller for the Philadelphia 76ers: What Lies Behind This Astonishing Change?

There are bad contracts in the NBA—and then there are the kind that shape a franchise’s entire trajectory. The Philadelphia 76ers, once perennial contenders in the Eastern Conference, have found themselves in a spiral of mediocrity following the signing of Paul George, a move that was meant to vault them into championship relevance. Instead, it may go down as one of the biggest miscalculations of the 2024 offseason. But as the Sixers find themselves the subject of harsh scrutiny, another NBA franchise is quickly stealing the spotlight for all the wrong reasons: the Dallas Mavericks, and their equally baffling move to bring in Klay Thompson.

Both players—once All-NBA caliber talents—entered free agency with extensive resumes and serious question marks. Both signed lucrative contracts with teams hoping to patch over critical flaws. And both are now headlining the NBA’s growing list of regrettable investments.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ Failed Bet on Paul George

Paul George’s four-year deal with the 76ers was supposed to usher in a new era. After years of falling short with the Joel Embiid–James Harden duo, Philadelphia pivoted toward a new dynamic. They locked in George to be Embiid’s running mate, envisioning a lethal two-way combination that would strike fear into Eastern Conference rivals. Instead, George’s game has deteriorated faster than anyone anticipated.

The numbers paint a sobering picture. George’s scoring has dipped considerably. His once-reliable shooting has become erratic. On defense, the lateral quickness that once defined his All-Defensive Team pedigree is simply no longer there. Injuries have compounded these issues, limiting his minutes and effectiveness, and raising questions about whether the 34-year-old wing can return to elite form.

Critics argue that Philadelphia’s decision to sign George was short-sighted, banking on past performance rather than realistic expectations of future value. And now, with a deal worth over $200 million locked in, George’s contract ranks among the most immovable in the league. It’s a situation that handcuffs the 76ers’ flexibility heading into the next few seasons.

Klay Thompson in Dallas: A Familiar Name, Unfamiliar Production

As bad as the Paul George signing has turned out for Philadelphia, the Dallas Mavericks may be facing an even more damaging situation with Klay Thompson. Long revered for his legendary shooting and championship pedigree, Thompson signed with Dallas in the 2024 offseason in a move that made headlines—and raised eyebrows.

The Mavericks, fresh off another disappointing playoff run, were desperate to give Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving more help on the wings. Thompson, though no longer the player he was during Golden State’s dynasty, was viewed as a savvy veteran addition who could provide floor spacing and leadership. What Dallas didn’t account for, however, was the sharp decline in Thompson’s overall game.

Now in his age-35 season, Klay Thompson is averaging his lowest point total since his rookie year. His shooting percentages—once among the best in NBA history—have plummeted, hitting just 41.2 percent from the field. More concerning, however, is his defensive regression. Once an elite perimeter defender, Thompson has become a liability, regularly targeted in switches and struggling to keep up with younger, more athletic wings.

The Mavericks have asked too much of him, thrusting Thompson into a starting role that demands far more than he can offer at this stage. He is no longer capable of being the reliable 3-and-D stalwart that his reputation suggests, and his presence in the starting lineup has disrupted the team’s offensive rhythm and defensive schemes.

Bad Contracts, Worse Timing: The NBA’s Cautionary Tales

When evaluating these two failed experiments, a broader theme emerges: teams overpaying aging stars in hopes of preserving relevance. Philadelphia and Dallas both bought into the idea that adding a recognizable name would spark a postseason resurgence. Instead, both teams now sit among the league’s most disappointing, watching younger and more cohesive squads pass them by.

In both cases, the contracts are not just expensive—they’re paralyzing. George and Thompson are each owed tens of millions over multiple seasons. Trading them would require significant sweeteners, likely in the form of draft capital, which neither franchise can afford to part with. It’s a textbook case of how bad deals can cripple roster construction and long-term planning.

These misfires also highlight a fundamental miscalculation: projecting past success onto future performance without accounting for age, injuries, and declining physical tools. Front offices too often fall for the allure of big names, ignoring mounting evidence that players on the wrong side of 30 rarely recapture All-Star form—especially in today’s hyper-athletic NBA.

Paul George vs. Klay Thompson: Who’s the Bigger Liability?

If forced to choose between these two disastrous contracts, the edge for “least damaging” might surprisingly go to Paul George. Despite his drop-off, there remains some hope that he can bounce back with a healthy offseason. George’s skill set, particularly his playmaking and length on defense, gives him at least a theoretical chance to contribute meaningfully if he can stay on the court.

Klay Thompson, on the other hand, appears to be completely washed. The burst, the lateral mobility, the quick release—it’s all fading. His struggles have only been amplified by the Mavericks’ system, which requires more dynamic movement than Thompson can currently provide. Worse, his mere presence is clogging up opportunities for younger wings to develop.

The Mavericks’ gamble has not only failed to elevate the team’s playoff hopes—it’s actively holding them back. With Klay Thompson’s production in freefall, Dallas faces a grim reality: they paid for nostalgia, and got a net-negative in return.

What Comes Next for the 76ers and Mavericks?

With both teams likely headed for early exits—or missing the playoffs altogether—the offseason looms large. Philadelphia may attempt to offload Paul George’s contract, though it will likely require attaching multiple picks to entice a rebuilding team. Failing that, they could explore a buyout, but doing so would result in a massive cap hit that could haunt the team for years.

Dallas faces an even more uncomfortable truth. Klay Thompson’s contract is nearly untradeable, and his role must be diminished if the team wants to maximize its remaining assets. Head coach Jason Kidd will be forced to rework the rotation, possibly benching Thompson or relegating him to a sixth-man role.

Both franchises must now walk a delicate line between preserving competitiveness and rebuilding their reputations. The pressure is especially intense for the 76ers, whose fanbase has endured years of “trust the process” only to end up with more questions than answers.

Lessons for the NBA: Star Power Isn’t Always the Answer

If there’s one takeaway from the misadventures of Paul George and Klay Thompson, it’s this: star power can’t mask poor fit or aging skillsets. In an era where team-building is more nuanced than ever, franchises must evaluate players holistically—not just through past accolades or marketing appeal.

Philadelphia and Dallas were seduced by name value and previous success, hoping to rekindle past glory through familiar faces. What they’ve gotten instead is a sobering lesson in how quickly the NBA can change, and how unforgiving it can be to those who ignore the warning signs.

Younger, faster, and more adaptable teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic are proving that sustainable success comes from shrewd scouting, internal development, and balanced rosters. The Sixers and Mavericks, by contrast, have become case studies in what not to do.

Conclusion: Two Franchises, One Painful Parallel

While it’s easy to blame the front offices for overpaying aging stars, these contracts also reflect the intense pressure teams face to stay relevant. The 76ers needed a co-star for Joel Embiid. The Mavericks needed a stabilizing veteran alongside Luka and Kyrie. In theory, the signings made sense.

In practice, they’ve backfired spectacularly.

Paul George’s collapse in Philadelphia and Klay Thompson’s struggles in Dallas are twin pillars of caution. Both teams gambled big—and both came up empty. As the 2025 NBA season winds down, fans are left wondering how long it will take for their franchises to recover from mistakes that never should have happened in the first place.