The top marksman is leaving? Buddha collapses? Are there any chances for the Lakers in the next stop?

Played for 17 minutes, made 0 of 6 shots, 0 of 5 three-pointers, and scored 0 points in the game.

This is the score sheet that Klay Thompson handed over in the last game. It is really hard to believe that this is from the splash brother who once shone with Buddha's light. As the Warriors era changes, Thompson's era is approaching its final moment.

According to sports reporter Brett Siegel, the Mavericks executives have begun to evaluate Thompson's trade value within the league. There is a consensus within the team that if a suitable offer appears, the team will send him away before the trade deadline.

Faced with today's scene, it's hard not to wonder: How did the man who once scored 37 points in a single game and 60 points in three quarters end up like this?

Let’s look at Clay’s performance this season. He averaged 20 minutes per game, with personal data of 7.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He shot 31.6% from the field and 26.4% from the three-point range. Such performance is indeed difficult to remind people of the original Buddha.

In addition to this data sheet, what is even more glaring is that the high-level statistics are also a mess:

When Thompson is on the court this season, the Mavericks score 89.8 points per 100 possessions, with a net loss of 20.6 points; when he is not present, the Mavericks score soars to 109.6 points per 100 possessions, with a net loss of 1.6 points.

With such a rhythm of collapse upon entering the game, it is really difficult to find positive contributions from him.

Many fans may think this is just a hand problem, but judging from the details, his problem is actually quite serious. After switching to the Mavericks, his role began to change from the Warriors' second leader to the Mavericks' sixth man. This gap is precisely the most fatal for a veteran who has had the aura at his peak.

Even if he was temporarily struggling during the Warriors period, Cole could tolerate him and continue to shoot. His teammates trusted him enough, and the team system suited him. He could still find confidence by relying on rhythm and touch. But after coming to Dallas, coach Kidd didn't have so much patience with him. He started the first seven games of the season and was benched in the eighth game. What's even more embarrassing is that even if the substitutes are assigned, it is still difficult to improve.

Especially combined with the Mavericks' current record of 2 wins and 7 losses, which is at the bottom of the Western Conference, Clay will inevitably become a loser in the eyes of fans.

In this disadvantageous situation, the Mavericks will inevitably need to find some breakthroughs. At present, for Klay, who still has difficulty in making bright spots after being delegated to the bench, the salary is not low, but the player is famous enough and the game performance is poor, so he has naturally become the most suitable scapegoat candidate.

From a business perspective, the team can clear out some salary space by clearing Thompson; and from a tactical perspective, Clay's current value can at least be exchanged for a high-quality substitute-level 3D from a weak team, which is at least much better than an inefficient pitcher.

Borrowing coach Kidd's post-match interview:

"We are not blaming anyone, but someone must be responsible."

It is not difficult to understand behind this sentence. Someone on this last-minute team needs to get off the bus first.

Looking back at Clay's career, it's not surprising that he started the season slowly, but it's just that this year's slowness has been a bit long, and even so slow that fans are a little desperate.

Looking at his opening performance in the past few seasons, even in the worst season of 2022-23, he averaged 15 points per game and 32.9% three-point shooting in the first 8 games; but now after 9 games, he only has 7.5 points and his three-point shooting percentage has plummeted to 26%. This may not be a downturn, but more like a dissatisfaction with the team's new system and the gradual collapse of personal self-confidence.

Currently, the Mavericks have quite a few scoring points, and what Thompson fears most is not having the ball in a multi-core team. He is most accustomed to running without the ball to catch the ball and pay attention to the offensive rhythm and system. However, under Kidd, he can only be reduced to a standing pitcher most of the time. And if no one helps him open up space and create gaps for shots, his three-point touch will naturally die.

When it comes to Clay's potential trade, among the list of possible next homes, the Lakers became the first candidate listed by the media. The reason given is also very simple:

Clay's father once played for the Lakers, and what the Lakers have always lacked is this kind of outside pitcher; especially around several Lakers ball-handlers, such pitchers will have better opportunities.

Of course, from a data point of view, such a conjecture is not difficult to understand. When Doncic was still with the Mavericks, Thompson averaged 8.3 three-pointers per game and maintained a high-quality shooting rate of 40.6%. However, when Doncic was away, not only the shots dropped, but the shooting rate also dropped to 34.2%.

In short, what Klay needs is a top ball handler, and the Lakers' Doncic, James, and even Reeves can just make up for this link. If he can stably play 15 minutes in the Lakers' bench system and provide a certain three-point threat per game, it will be a considerable improvement for the Lakers' bench. In addition, Thompson's championship experience and veteran experience can also be more valuable to the Lakers' second team.

The only question now is, will the Lakers want him?

Based on Pelinka's cautious management in recent years, he may not be willing to pay too much for a declining veteran shooter.

From the perspective of a fan, would you support this hypothetical drama of Tang Shen joining the Lakers?