In a stunning turn of events, Klay Thompson, the five-time NBA All-Star and four-time champion, has agreed to take his talents to the Dallas Mavericks, signing a three-year, $50 million deal. This move marks the end of an era, as Thompson has spent his entire career up until now with the Golden State Warriors, contributing to one of the most formidable dynasties in recent NBA history.
Negotiation Hiccups and Resolutions
The agreement did not come without its share of complications. Initial holdups centered around what the Golden State Warriors would receive in the deal. However, those issues have since been resolved, paving the way for the move to officially go through as a sign-and-trade. As part of the deal, Josh Green will be sent to the Charlotte Hornets, while the Warriors will receive two second-round picks.
Warriors' Changing Tides
The Warriors' decision not to bring back Thompson marks a significant shift in their strategy. Last offseason, they offered Thompson a two-year, $48 million contract, which he ultimately rejected. Since then, the team has been recalibrating its roster. Draymond Green secured a four-year, $100 million deal as a free agent, and Jordan Poole landed a four-year, $128 million contract.
During the past season, the Warriors began relying more on rookie shooting guard Brandin Podziemski, a move that saw Thompson coming off the bench for a stretch. While Thompson has been a pivotal part of the Warriors' success, this reliance on younger talent suggested a pivot towards the future for Golden State.
Thompson's Storied Career
Klay Thompson leaves the Warriors with a legacy that will be hard to match. Alongside Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, he has the third-most playoff wins as a trio in NBA history, boasting 98 wins. For context, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Cooper have 110 playoff wins, while the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili lead with 126 playoff wins.
In terms of individual accolades, Thompson is sixth on the NBA's all-time list for three-pointers made, with 2,481. The only player ahead of him from the current era is his longtime teammate, Stephen Curry, who tops the list with 3,747 three-pointers.
The Mavericks' Ambitions
For the Dallas Mavericks, acquiring a player of Thompson's caliber signals a strong intention to bolster their offense, which struggled to score efficiently during the NBA Finals, managing only 106.7 points per 100 possessions. The Mavericks will be bringing back the core of last season's relatively young Western Conference champion team, hoping that Thompson's experience and sharpshooting prowess will provide the missing piece they need to get over the hump.
Thompson's Other Suitors
Thompson had reportedly been linked to other teams, including the Lakers and the Clippers. The Lakers were a Play-In team last season, while the Clippers faced their own challenges after losing Paul George. However, it is the Mavericks who have emerged victorious in the race to sign the sharpshooter, adding a veteran with championship pedigree to their ranks.
As Klay Thompson prepares to don the Mavericks' jersey, both the player and franchise hope this new chapter will bring continued success and perhaps even another championship run. For the Warriors, this marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new one, as they look to build around their remaining core and promising young talent.