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<\/p>\nNBA legends have long used retirement as a launchpad for their off-court ventures. Magic Johnson built a sports empire, while LeBron James runs a media company. But for Klay Thompson, the future might look a little different. When asked about retirement plans, the Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter had a simple answer: stick to basketball, just on a new stage.<\/p>\n
The BIG3 league has already proven there\u2019s money and meaning in keeping the game going. Former NBA stars like Dwight Howard and Michael Beasley earn up to $100,000 per season in the 3-on-3 summer league.\u00a0So when Michael Cooper asked Thompson if he\u2019d consider playing in the BIG3 after retiring, the response came easy. \u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cEspecially with that four-point ball \u2014 that gets me excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
That four-point shot isn\u2019t just a gimmick to him. It\u2019s part of the BIG3\u2019s identity, a wrinkle that rewards creativity and range, two things Thompson built his career on. But he wasn\u2019t just talking about stepping onto a BIG3 court. He was talking about where the court could be. Thompson\u2019s vision stretched further. \u201cI just want the BIG3 to go international,\u201d he continued. \u201cYou know, it\u2019d be so fun to see the BIG3 go overseas and do a little tour. I would love that. Or Asia. We would love that.\u201d That idea already has momentum.<\/p>\n
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In early 2024, the BIG3 and the East Asia Super League (EASL) announced a strategic partnership to bring 3-on-3 basketball to Asia in 2026. Taking the BIG3 overseas opens up real financial opportunities.<\/p>\n
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via Imago<\/p>\n
Feb 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) walks off the court after the Mavericks defeat the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Asia has massive basketball markets, such as China, the Philippines, and South Korea, where former NBA stars are already household names. Playing in cities like Seoul or Manila could mean sponsorship deals, local partnerships, and new revenue streams for the league and its players.<\/p>\n
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The league already sold out the O2 Arena in London for its 2023 Championship Game.\u00a0Ice Cube has already announced exhibition games in Australia, backed by a partnership with the National Basketball League. There\u2019s real momentum here. In Season 8, the league introduced home city representation for the first time and closed out with a packed championship crowd in Orlando.<\/p>\n
The BIG3 has turned a niche idea into a legitimate platform, and taking it overseas could open new revenue streams, fresh markets, and even more star power. Klay Thompson\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0interest comes at an interesting time. At 35, he\u2019s winding down a long career, and his role with the Mavericks is shifting. He\u2019s no longer the two-way force from his Warriors days, but he\u2019s still a lethal shooter and a veteran presence on a roster. \u201cI love being his [Davis] teammate, I love playing off him,\u201d Thompson said recently. \u201cAnd can\u2019t wait to build, not just for this year, but for the future\u2026 I try to remind people too, I\u2019ve had great success with Anthony and Ky. We won a world championship together in 2014, so it\u2019d be very nice to end our careers together, or at least my career with them.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s that kind of legacy thinking that makes the BIG3 a natural next step. Not a fallback, but a continuation. The league is offering ownership shares, revenue splits, and media rights. Ice Cube\u2019s now-infamous $15 million offer to Caitlin Clark wasn\u2019t just a splashy headline; it was a statement of intent.<\/p>\n This is a league that\u2019s betting on names, building narratives, and offering former stars more than a farewell tour. \u201cYou might be retired from the NBA,\u201d Cube added, \u201cbut you never retire from being a baller.\u201d As Thompson maps out his final NBA years in Dallas, a new chapter may already be forming.<\/p>\n Why Thompson\u2019s plan could work<\/p>\n The proof is in the pudding. Dwight Howard<\/a> joined the LA Riot this year. \u201cTo still give guys their last hurrah\u2026 give guys that opportunity \u2014 they\u2019re making money,\u201d Dwyane Wade said on his podcast. \u201cShoutout to Cube for taking something we all grew up on and creating this brand.\u201d Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers just helped Miami 305 win a championship. These are recognizable talents with fanbase, highlights, and competitive fire. Now picture them in London, Tokyo, or Manila. It works.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thompson\u2019s numbers show he still has gas in the tank. Last season with Dallas,<\/a> he played 72 games, averaging 14 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 39.1% from deep. Not prime Klay, but still deadly. He admits the transition has been wild. \u201cI never thought I would be in Dallas, but it\u2019s been an awesome transition,\u201d he said recently. \u201cI\u2019m the oldest guy on the team\u2026 I gotta lead these guys with my voice. I haven\u2019t been this motivated in years.\u201d<\/p>\n