Mavs 2024-25 preview: Klay joins Kyrie and Luka for shot at NBA title
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Klay Thompson is ready to be No. 31 for Mavs. Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks' power duo could become a triple threat this season.
Driving the news: Dallas' preseason starts at 7pm Monday night with a game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Why it matters: The team came close to an NBA title last year, adding to the pressure this season.
- "When you talk about last season, it was last season. This is a different team. … We have to be hungry," head coach Jason Kidd said at a news conference last week.
Catch up fast: Klay Thompson joins the Mavericks after winning four championships with the Golden State Warriors. The 34-year-old veteran, who Kidd says is on track to be "one of the best shooters of all time," could be a good match for guards Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
- "I think we have all the ingredients for a championship," Thompson told reporters last week.
Fun fact: Thompson and Irving were part of the same draft class in 2011 and have competed against each other in the NBA Finals.
- "That was a huge reason why I am here [in Dallas] because Kyrie spoke that highly of me and him believing that we can achieve those goals," Thompson said.
Reality check: Thompson may need time to settle in as a Maverick.
- Irving's first season with the Mavs was rough, even though he was an eight-time NBA All-Star and won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The latest: Dereck Lively II has leveled up from rookie status and is in consideration for the starting lineup this season.
- Dončić injured his calf last week at training camp and will be evaluated "as necessary" this week, the team said on X.
- The Mavericks have also hired former Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel as a coaching consultant. He led the Lakers to the championship in 2020.
What's next: The Mavs will play four preseason games between Monday and Oct. 17.
- They open the regular season Oct. 24 at home against the San Antonio Spurs.
How to watch: A new multi-year deal allows North Texans to watch at least 15 Mavericks games this season on WFAA (Channel 8) and all games not nationally televised on KMPX (Channel 29).