Klay Thompson’s Dallas Mavericks Debut Could Be Promising, NBA History Suggests

Klay Thompson was a prolific shooter for the Golden State Warriors, and an essential piece of their championship dynasty that lived throughout the middle of the 2010s. He was the perfect compliment piece to Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green, adding stability to the roster that opened up the floor for those pieces.

Thompson’s career took a major hit in 2019 due to injury, and he would miss two full seasons in the league. He would return for a second act in California, but his time with the Warrior came to a close this past offseason. Many wondered whether or not the future Hall of Famer could sustain greatness with a new squad, as he signed a three-year deal with the Mavericks in hopes of new life.

He dropped 22 points in his Dallas debut, including a franchise record six 3’s in his first game with the team. If Thompson does do well with his next squad, he won’t be the only player in league history to have achieved success in a new home after spending so much time with one franchise. Let’s look at some other NBA stars who found success with a new team.

1. LeBron James

There is no better player that exemplifies living up to his legacy with a new team than LeBron James. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft transformed Cleveland basketball in the 2000s, surpassing his own hype and becoming one of the greatest players in history. But after a failed NBA Finals trip with the Cavaliers, he felt it was time for a change.

James famously took his talents to Miami in 2010, and helped lead the Heat to two championships while capturing two MVP Awards. He would then head back to Cleveland, where he cemented his legend by bringing the franchise a championship in one of the most dramatic NBA Finals in league history against the Golden State Warriors. LeBron would then venture to Los Angeles, where he would secure yet another championship as a Laker.

2. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq didn’t just have success with his second team, but he found sustained dominance into his third stop in the NBA.

It’s not often a top draft pick lives up to their hype, but Shaq was everything the Orlando Magic hoped he’d be when they took him first overall in 1992. He won the Rookie of the Year, made four All-Star teams, and even took them to an NBA Finals. But he ended up leaving for the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, where he’d go on to become a legend and winning three NBA titles. Personality struggles with Kobe Bryant would result in him getting shipped to the Miami Heat, where he’d average nearly 20 points per game en route to winning a championship in 2006.

3. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett is the greatest player in Minnesota Timberwolves history, averaging more than 20 points per game across a 12-season tenure and winning the 2004 NBA MVP Award. But when it appeared he was reaching his expiration date, he was traded to a contender in the Boston Celtics.

Garnett was the perfect fit in Boston. He made five All-Star teams in Beantown, and won an NBA Championship and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. He was a dominant force in the paint, and combined with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, made up a versatile trio that terrorized the Eastern Conference for several years. He ended up averaging 15.7 points per game during his time in Boston.

4. Ray Allen

As noted, Ray Allen was a big part of those Celtics teams that were electric in the East, and that was far from the only time he’d find success after his start.

Allen was a three-time All-Star with the Milwaukee Bucks, developing into an elite sharpshooter towards the end of his tenure. He was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, and after a few seasons mixed with injury and promise, he was again dealt to the Celtics. Allen firmly developed into a dominant three-point threat, helping Garnett and Pierce capture a title in the 2008 NBA Finals. He’d continue to add to his legacy with one final stop in Miami, where he hit one of the biggest shots in NBA history to help the Heat win a championship in 2013.

5. Clyde Drexler

Clyde Drexler was already on a Hall of Fame trajectory with the Portland Trailblazers. He spent 12 years in Portland, averaging more than 20 points per game and taking the team to two NBA Finals. But he was able to seal the deal after a trade to the Houston Rockets in the 1994-1995 season.

Drexler was sent to Houston to add scoring depth for a Rockets team in its championship prime. It was a move that paid off, as Drexler formed the perfect guard/big combination with Hakeem Olajuwon. The Rockets would go on to win the NBA Finals, Drexler would average 19 points per game across four seasons in Houston, and he’d go down as a legend for both.

6. Vince Carter

To have experienced Vince Carter in his prime was to experience pure electricity. Carter’s emergence with the Toronto Raptors produced one of the most incredible displays of athleticism and dominance the NBA has ever seen. So when he was traded to the New Jersey Nets, people were wondering whether or not he could keep up that style of play.

Turns out, he played to the hype with ease. Carter formed one of the greatest duos in league history with Jason Kidd running the point, averaging 23.6 points per game during his time in Jersey. Carter formed an affinity for game-winning and clutch shots while with the Nets, and was honored as a franchise great with his No. 15 retired by the franchise in 2024. He’d go on to play 22 years in the league altogether.

7. Chris Webber

Chris Webber was one of the most dominating post-presences in basketball during the late 1990s and early 2000s, developing into a Hall of Famer during his time with the Sacramento Kings. He made four All-Star teams there and went toe-to-toe with the powerhouse Lakers in the Western Conference.

The sun was beginning to set on his career as he entered his 30s, and he found himself traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005. It ended up being exactly what Philadelphia needed to make a playoff push, as Webber found himself starting 21 games down the stretch, and helped them clinch a playoff spot. He averaged more than 17 points per game across 114 games played in Philly, proving he was still a valuable commodity.

8. Allen Iverson

Speaking of the 76ers, the most iconic player in franchise history even ended up looking for second life in the NBA after his departure from town. Allen Iverson dazzled the NBA during his Sixers tenure, leading the team to an NBA Finals against the Lakers and winning an MVP in 2000-2001. Iverson’s personality began to clash with coaching and management thought, and he was shipped to the Denver Nuggets in 2006.

Iverson was a perfect fit for rising star Carmelo Anthony almost immediately, with the two forming a prolific scoring duo in the Mile High City. Iverson averaged more than 25 points per game across parts of three seasons in Denver, making two All-Star appearances during his time there. Though he would get traded to Detroit in 2008, he still made an impact on Denver.