Mavs Ex Rival Makes Bold Prediction for Klay Thompson's Warriors Homecoming

The Dallas Mavericks made a big splash this summer by swooping in and picking up star sharpshooter Klay Thompson in a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors.

Although Thompson would've loved to finish his career with the team he spent 13 years with, he felt disrespected by the Warriors front office's contract negotiations with him over the last few years, which led to his departure.

Now that Thompson is in Dallas, one of the biggest storylines going into the 2024-25 season will be his return to The Bay. The NBA schedule was released on Thursday, and Thompson's Mavs are set to take on the Warriors at Chase Center on Nov. 12.

On a recent episode of the Gils Arena Show , former NBA player and Mavs rival Kenyon Martin was asked about what he expects from Thompson when he plays against the Warriors for the first time.

Related: NBA Insider Reveals Mavs Star Klay Thompson's Warriors Homecoming Date

“Foot to a**,” Martin said, predicting that Dallas would be extra aggressive. "Klay’s going to get 35 shots. They’re going to make sure. [Jason Kidd], he’s going to make sure [Klay] gets all of the shots. ... J-Kidd got a****** in him, so yeah. He’s gonna make sure that boy gets all the shots.”

Martin knows Kidd as well as anyone, as they were New Jersey Nets teammates and led the franchise to two NBA Finals appearances together. With most of the Warriors' defensive focus likely to be on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, there's a good chance Martin's prediction won't be too far off the mark.