In a significant shift within the NBA landscape, Klay Thompson, a pivotal figure for the Golden State Warriors, has signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract. This move marks the end of Thompson's remarkable 13-year tenure with the Warriors, a period during which he secured four championship titles and established himself as a crucial member of one of basketball's most successful dynasties.
Thompson's departure comes as both a surprise and an inevitability, given the series of unfortunate injuries and the evolving strategic priorities within the Warriors' organization. The two-time All-NBA player suffered a torn ACL and Achilles tendon in consecutive summers, sidelining him for the entirety of the 2019-20 season and much of the following one. Despite these setbacks, Thompson made an indelible mark upon his return, playing a crucial role in the Warriors’ 2022 title victory.
However, the harmony within the team began to fray, leading to a contentious split. Last season saw Thompson being benched from both starting and closing lineups at different points, a move that signaled a shift in how the Warriors were utilizing their star guard. The Warriors were also aiming to get below the luxury-tax line, a strategy that likely influenced their roster decisions.
Financial constraints played a significant role in this divorce. Thompson was in the third season of a five-year, $189 million contract, a considerable financial commitment for any franchise. Meanwhile, the Warriors extended Jordan Poole with a $123 million contract and finalized a four-year, $100 million deal for Draymond Green last summer. In contrast, the Warriors offered Thompson a two-year, $48 million extension before last season—a proposal he turned down, deeming it below his worth.
The differing perceptions between Thompson and the Warriors' front office became increasingly evident. "The Warriors and Thompson have differing versions of the firmness of the offer and, again, the true desire of the franchise's lead decision-makers in valuing him as a can't-lose member of the core," wrote Anthony Slater of The Athletic. This discord appears to have paved the way for Thompson's departure.
As the Warriors sought to navigate their fiscal landscape, they explored numerous options, including a potential trade for Paul George. Yet, despite their efforts to manage their roster and finances, the relationship with Thompson continued to deteriorate. Slater noted, "It's been a layered five-year path to this divorce, splintering last season, sprouting earlier and finalizing in the last couple weeks, where—among the conversations Thompson had, league sources said—was a request of Stephen Curry not to exert his significant organizational influence and up the temperature with management to ensure Thompson's return. Curry's measured voice, even if it altered the outcome, wouldn't change the genuineness of Joe Lacob and the front office's true desire to have Thompson back."
Ultimately, Thompson decided to leave the franchise he had represented for over a decade. "The answer to all this is likely somewhere in the middle. The Warriors valued Thompson, just not as much as he desired. They would've loved to have him back on their terms, but not on his. According to Slater, Thompson's decision to leave 'became easy when the Warriors kicked him down the summer pecking order.'" It was this culmination of factors—financial, strategic, and personal—that led Thompson to seek a fresh start in Dallas.
As Klay Thompson embarks on this new chapter with the Mavericks, his legacy with the Golden State Warriors remains undeniable. He leaves behind a storied career marked by resilience, skill, and championship success. For the Warriors, this marks the end of an era as they continue to reshape their roster and objectives in the highly competitive NBA landscape.