Klay Thompson Wants to Return Mavs to 'Glory' After Luka Trade, Kyrie Irving Injury

On the heels of the Luka Dončić trade and season-ending injury to Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson is doing his best to bring optimism to the Dallas Mavericks.

Speaking to reporters after Monday's 133-129 win over the Sacramento Kings, Thompson said he wants to lead the Mavs to "glory" and is confident in what their roster can be when everyone is healthy.

Irving's injury was a devastating blow because he had picked up so much of the offensive slack after Dončić got deal to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2. The nine-time All-Star was averaging 26.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in 11 starts after the trade before tearing his ACL against the Kings on March 3.

The Mavericks only got to see Anthony Davis play one game before he suffered a strained adductor against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 8. They've also been playing without Daniel Gafford since Feb. 10 due to a knee sprain and Dereck Lively II since Jan. 14 due to an ankle fracture.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Monday that both Davis and Lively are progressing toward returning before the end of the regular season.

Depending on when either or both could return and where the Mavericks are in the standings, it might be in the team's best interest to hold them back to improve their draft positioning.

Monday's victory over the Kings snapped a five-game losing skid for Dallas. The Mavs (33-33) are sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference with a 2.5-game lead over the Phoenix Suns (30-35).

The Mavs signed Thompson to a three-year, $50 million contract in free agency last summer. It was thought at the time he would be the three-point specialist on a team with Dončić and Irving carrying most of the offensive burden.

There was also a hope that Thompson could be a missing piece to get the Mavericks over the hump after losing in the NBA Finals last season.

Instead, they are fighting to make the play-in tournament with their two best players injured right now.

Thompson is doing his best to give Dallas' offense some juice with Irving and Davis out of the lineup, having scored at least 26 points in three of the last four games. He only had three games with at least 25 points in his previous 54 starts this season.