Klay Thompson Joins Dallas Mavericks on a Three-Year Deal
In a stunning move that will reshape the NBA landscape, Klay Thompson has signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract. The veteran shooting guard leaves the Golden State Warriors after a 13-year career, during which he became an integral part of one of the most successful dynasties in recent memory.
A Storied Career with the Warriors
Thompson's tenure with the Golden State Warriors is the stuff of legends. He was instrumental in the team's four championship wins and formed an iconic trio with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. However, Thompson's journey was not without its challenges. He tore both his ACL and Achilles tendon in consecutive summers, sidelining him for the entire 2019-20 season and the one that followed. Despite these setbacks, Thompson made a triumphant return to play a crucial role in the Warriors' 2022 title victory.
Contractual Tensions and Departure
Thompson was in the third season of a five-year, $189 million contract with the Warriors. However, the relationship between Thompson and the franchise had been on a downward trajectory. The Warriors offered Thompson a two-year, $48 million extension before last season, which he turned down. Anthony Slater of The Athletic notes, “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.”
The Warriors extended Jordan Poole with a $123 million contract and finalized a four-year, $100 million deal for Draymond Green last summer. Balancing their finances became crucial as the team aimed to get below the luxury-tax line, a factor that contributed to Thompson’s changing role and eventual departure. Slater explains, “It's been a layered five-year path to this divorce, splintering last season, sprouting earlier and finalizing in the last couple weeks.” Even Stephen Curry, a long-time advocate for Thompson, reportedly refrained from using his “significant organizational influence” to alter the franchise’s decision.
New Chapter with the Mavericks
Joining the Dallas Mavericks marks a new chapter in Thompson's illustrious career. Despite the physical and contractual hurdles of recent years, Thompson's skill set and championship experience make him a valuable addition to any roster. According to Slater, “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.”
Thompson's decision to leave Golden State was ultimately influenced by his position within the team's priorities. He had found himself removed from starting and closing lineups at various points last season—a signal that perhaps the Warriors were moving in a different direction. “Thompson's decision to leave 'became easy when the Warriors kicked him down the summer pecking order,'” Slater concludes.
Warriors Eyeing New Horizons
As Thompson embarks on his journey with the Mavericks, the Warriors are also making moves to shape their future. The franchise, ever ambitious, was reportedly considering trading for Paul George—a move that underscores their desire to stay competitive and potentially marks the beginning of a new era for the team.
Thompson’s signing with Dallas underscores the Mavericks' intentions to make serious noise in the highly competitive Western Conference. Both the player and the team have much to prove, and this union sets the stage for an intriguing season ahead. For basketball fans, the next chapter in Klay Thompson's storied career promises to be as compelling as his last.