Last season, the Dallas Mavericks suffered setbacks at several positions; it’s hard to remember any other team that missed so many key players. From Anthony Davis to Kyrie Irving to PJ Washington, everyone spent a significant amount of time on the sidelines. As expected, this resulted in the team failing to qualify for the playoffs. Now, after snagging Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 pick of the draft, the outlook has speedily shifted. So much so that a fit and firing Mavericks roster even looks capable of competing with the best teams in the league. However, “fit” might be the keyword here.

So, now, after landing the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft and expectations higher than ever before, AD and Irving’s new star teammate has given them a firm reminder before the new season. It came from Klay Thompson, and was talked about by none other than Dallas’ starting point guard D’Angelo Russell. The Mavs landed the former Lakers star on a two-year, $11.6 million deal as Kyrie Irving’s replacement, as he continues to recover from his ACL injury.

With the former Ohio State standout already knowing several of his new teammates, he’s wasted no time in gelling up with them. What helped him settle in the most has been the veteran camp. While on the latest episode of ‘The Backyard Podcast,‘ Russell revealed a message behind the camp hosted by Klay Thompson. For anyone who’s unaware, at the start of each season, veterans from the team get all the players together to host a training camp of sorts.

This serves as a great stage for all the players to build chemistry and set goals for the upcoming season. Thompson, entering his 13th NBa season, used the opportunity to. “We hooped. Got to golf a little bit, set up a few nice dinners. He just had a bunch of the guys out and it was it was it was kind of weathering the storm of what’s about to happen. You know, we know the season’s going to be a hell of a roller coaster.” Russell revealed.

“We know injuries going to happen. We know we’re going to lose tough games. We’re going to win some tough games. Some guys are going to miss that free throw that wins the game. Like all that’s going to happen in one season. But when you have that bet and you have that camaraderie to start the season, all the ice is broken. You know what I mean? You don’t wait until preseason or until media day to feel like you know these guys. You develop that relationship and camaraderie.” The 29-year-old further explained.

The camp, hosted by Thompson in California, allowed Russell to reconnect with the 4-time NBA champion. DLo previously played for the Warriors during the 2019-20 season before being traded the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he did not get to connect with Thompson, even calling him “Batman” as he seldom saw the Warriors vet during training or practice. The reason was that Thompson was recovering from his torn left ACL, an injury he picked up during the 2019 NBA Finals.

Already, Kyrie Irving will be out for a major portion of the next season, but a few more could also follow throughout the season. Anthony Davis may be shifting in his seat.

Nonetheless, the reason to hold this session was to bring everyone was, not to scare everyone about what could go wrong, but to bring everyone on the same page, so that they can support each other during the campaign. DLo also stated that Anthony Davis is one of, if not the most helpful teammates. Meanwhile, this wasn’t all that D’Angelo Russell shared, as the point guard also expressed his excitement to play alongside Klay Thompson despite there being so much uncertainty around the team.

D’Angelo Russell is excited to suit up alongside Klay Thompson

While the 29-year-old new Dallas Mavericks star has several players on the team with whom he already has a great working relationship, he’s most excited to share the court with the one and only Klay Thompson. “We didn’t get to play with each other in Golden State,” Russell said on the podcast.

“He knows. I played against him. He knows who I am. I know what you’re gonna do for my game, but for you to know what I’m gonna do for your game, bro we’re locked. Like what? And we have plays where we’re on the court playing with each other and I’m thinking ahead of him. And he’s like my bad. And I’m like yeah, I see it bro. And now it’s like I can’t wait to play with him. Like I’m high-level bro. Like I see when you’re open. You don’t even know you’re open. Like be ready for me bro. Trust me.”

It’s safe to say that both Thompson and Russell are building great chemistry, as they are tipped to be the backcourt duo for the Mavs for next season alongside the likes of the rest of the stars such as Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Daniel Gafford. So it’s only right that both get to know each other’s playing style and get accustomed to it. Last season, DLo averaged 12.9 points along with 5.6 assists in 29 games for the Nets after his move from the Lakers. That’s a stat line that can improve a lot this season with Thompson being alongside him.