No one would have expected All-Star guard Klay Thompson to leave the Golden State Warriors after helping the team win four rings in the last decade. As it stands, both sides were at fault for the Splash Brother’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks.
In a groundbreaking move, Thompson has officially joined the Dallas Mavericks as part of a historic six-team sign-and-trade deal. The transaction, the first of its kind in NBA history, also involves the Warriors, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
After 13 successful seasons with the Warriors, which included five All-Star selections and four NBA championships, Thompson has signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks. The Warriors, in return, have acquired sharpshooter Buddy Hield and forward Kyle Anderson.
This complex deal marks a new chapter for both Thompson and the Warriors. The Mavericks are eager to welcome the veteran guard, who will bolster their roster as they look to build on their recent NBA Finals appearance. Meanwhile, the Warriors will aim to retool their roster around four-time champion Stephen Curry, with Hield and Anderson providing new offensive threats to complement the superstar point guard.
The Reason Why Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors Split
Weeks after being traded to the Mavericks, more and more details have surfaced about Thompson’s time in the Bay. According to an article by Gary Mashburn for the Boston Globe, there seems to be another layer to the conflict between the All-Star shooter and his former team.
“More information is coming out about why Klay Thompson left the Warriors for the Mavericks, and it seems both sides were at fault. Thompson, despite missing two full seasons with injuries, felt he was nearly the same player he was before and the Warriors didn’t agree. Thompson felt as if he should have been compensated with a four-year deal similar to Draymond Green’s and Andrew Wiggins’s, especially since neither has lived up to their contracts,” Mashburn wrote.
Last season, Klay Thompson averaged 17.9 points while shooting an efficient 43% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and 92% at the charity stripe. He is projected to play off the ball contribute as a starter right away for Dallas while playing alongside All-Star Luka Doncic and one-time NBA champion Kyrie Irving.
It remains to be seen what version of Thompson fans will get for the 2024-25 season. Nevertheless, everyone will be looking forward to how the former Warriors star will perform in the upcoming campaign.
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