Mavericks’ Klay Thompson prioritizing team chemistry ahead of 2025-26 season

Joe Mayo

Mavericks’ Klay Thompson prioritizing team chemistry ahead of 2025-26 season image

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (right) and Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) react on the bench against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at American Airlines Center. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks are entering the 2025-26 campaign with a retooled roster and a deep playoff run in mind. 

The Mavericks had a disappointing finish to the 2024-25 season after trading away Luka Doncic ahead of the deadline. Kyrie Irving went down with a torn ACL in early March, and Anthony Davis missed an extended period due to a left adductor strain. The team ultimately missed the playoffs just a season after reaching the NBA Finals. 

However, Dallas landed the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and selected Duke standout Cooper Flagg. With Flagg joining an already stacked roster, the Mavericks have high hopes for their season despite an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign. 

MORE: Mavericks officially make $89 million decision to keep fan favorite around

Klay Thompson holds team-bonding camp

With the 2025-26 regular season just over a month away, the Mavericks are gearing up for training camp. According to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line, veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson reportedly held a team-bonding camp in early September to build team chemistry. 

“... The Mavericks, who I’m told — at the urging of sharpshooter Klay Thompson — got together for a well-attended bonding camp in Newport Beach in early September,” Stein wrote. “Word is Anthony Davis, though he was not able to participate in the on-court activities there as he continues to recover from July eye surgery to repair a detached retina, did host a dinner for his teammates while they were working out in Southern California.” 

While the Mavericks have a plethora of returning players from 2024-25, they’ve also added Flagg, D’Angelo Russell and Ryan Nembhard. 

The team will aim to rebound from its disappointing end to last season, and building chemistry will be important as Dallas prepares to make a run in a star-studded Western Conference. 

Injuries remain a concern, but a healthy Mavericks squad appears poised to make noise in 2025-26.

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Joe Mayo

Joe Mayo is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024. He’s also a contributor at RotoWire. While Joe primarily writes about the NBA, he also covers the WNBA and MLB.