Klay Thompson Faces Retirement Speculation

Klay Thompson's tenure with the Dallas Mavericks has been rocky, prompting speculation about his retirement from the NBA.

What happened?

The Mavericks signed Thompson to a three-year, $50 million deal in July 2024, but his performance has been inconsistent. He initially averaged 11 to 12 points per game while shooting over 38% from the three-point line. However, his shooting slump became more evident as time went by, with a career-low 11.6 points per game in 2025-26.

Why it matters for Klay Thompson

Thompson's age, speed, and injuries have visibly slowed him down, raising concerns about his ability to bounce back. He left the Golden State Warriors with four NBA championships and five NBA All-Star teams across 13 seasons.

What comes next?

Thompson is still under contract with the Mavericks until the end of the 2026-27 NBA season. If the Mavs don’t re-sign him, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 and can negotiate a new deal with any team. He has been mentoring the next generation and maintaining a championship mindset, despite his reduced role. Thompson's three-point percentage of 38.3% during the 2025-26 NBA season is notable for a veteran sharpshooter. And he can still hit three-pointers at 36 years old. But his fit with the Mavs remains doubtful as the team entered a rebuild with Cooper Flagg at the helm. So Thompson's retirement plans may include playing in the Big3 or building a long-term partnership with Chinese sportswear brand Anta. He has not officially retired from the NBA, but speculation about his future won't stop anytime soon. Thompson's departure from the Golden State Warriors was seen as a step toward retirement by some individuals.