The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are reportedly discussing a trade that would send Klay Thompson back to his home city, joining the Los Angeles Lakers. As of December 10, 2025 Thompson is averaging around 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are heading into the season with a retooled roster anchored by stars like Luka Dončić and LeBron James, but they still lack a true veteran shooter to stabilize their spacing on offense.
Bringing in Thompson could give Los Angeles a reliable perimeter threat, improving their three-point shooting and giving Young core players more room to operate.
For Dallas, moving Thompson would open up minutes and cap space to develop younger contributors like Cooper Flagg or give more playing time to emerging talent on the roster.
A trade now could reshape both teams: the Lakers become more dangerous offensively, and the Mavericks gain flexibility to rebuild around youth and younger wings.
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Klay Thompson to the Lakers: Potential Trade Idea
Lakers Receive: G Klay Thompson
Mavericks Receive: G/F Dalton Knecht & F Jarred Vanderbilt
Why Klay Thompson Fits the Lakers
Klay Thompson would give the Lakers a reliable three-point threat who spaces the floor and complements their star-driven attack. In the 2025–26 season he is averaging about 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Those marks show he can contribute off the bench or in a secondary role while deferring to the Lakers’ primary playmakers. His veteran presence and championship experience would also help stabilize the locker room and elevate energy in critical moments.
What the Mavericks Gain in Return
If the Mavericks trade Thompson, they could reclaim significant salary cap and rotation flexibility, allowing younger or more versatile players to get meaningful minutes. Dallas currently ranks near the bottom offensively in 2025–26 with an offensive rating of 109.1 — last in the league.
Removing Thompson’s role might help them retool and improve spacing and ball movement. They could also invest resources into youth or front-court help, especially given their recent instability at center following injury to Dereck Lively II.
How the Deal Shapes Each Team’s Future
For the Lakers, adding Thompson helps build a more balanced roster around their stars and boosts their championship ceiling by improving shooting and veteran reliability. For the Mavericks, trading Thompson signals a shift toward youth, flexibility, and long-term roster construction rather than aging veterans. The move could reposition Dallas to better develop their younger core, adjust their cap structure, and rebuild their identity after a rough start this season.