Klay Thompson experiment should serve as a warning for the Hornets

One of the biggest storylines in the league this season is how the Klay Thompson experiment will work out for the Dallas Mavericks. Coming from an NBA Finals appearance, the team is hoping the addition of the four-time champion is what it needs to win the title.

On the flip side, there is the possibility of the move ending disastrously because the preseason has somewhat proven some pundits' fear that Thompson is still a hit-or-miss guy. He has a tendency to put up offensive outbursts here and there, but there are also games where he will be a massive dud.

Perhaps if the erstwhile Golden State Warriors star can be as impactful on defense as he was during his heyday, the Mavs can live with his high-variance offense and penchant for laying eggs. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear like defense is still Thompson's strong suit.

The Hornets should be cautious about adding a marquee name

The Charlotte Hornets probably aren't too concerned about the Thompson situation in Dallas. After all, they have already profited from the historic blockbuster deal that landed the former Splash Brother on the Mavs by participating in the six-team trade, netting Josh Green and a couple of second-round picks.

Naturally, the Hornets would need to scout Dallas and Thompson's performances in preparation for the squads' meetings in the regular season. However, Charlotte might stand to benefit from monitoring the Mavs-Klay marriage more intently, as it can serve as a cautionary tale against making win-now roster moves that could end up backfiring in epic fashion.

The Hornets haven't shown any signs of fast-tracking their rebuild, opting to stay patient and build things the right way. However, that hasn't stopped some pundits from mentioning the organization as a possible destination for some stars, such as Julius Randle (before he was sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves) and Brandon Ingram.

Some sports scribes have argued that if Charlotte finds itself experiencing success in the standings earlier than expected, bringing in a star could take it to the next level. While that may be true, such a route could result in a catastrophe.

For instance, trading for Ingram could lead to more problems for the Hornets, as adding the New Orleans Pelicans forward might not be a great fit and merely transform them into a perennially mediocre squad again.

Obviously, the Mavs' situation is different, as they have to maximize the windows of cornerstones Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and dealing for Thompson was probably their only avenue to attempt to improve their roster significantly. It was certainly a bold move and can yield fruitful outcomes.

However, the Hornets have to be wary of going for high-risk, high-reward moves, such as targeting disgruntled, ill-fitting, or washed stars.