July 1: The legendary championship chapter of Klay Thompson’s career with the Golden State Warriors came to an end on July 1 when he allegedly agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to join the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson is a four-time NBA champion.
After winning four NBA titles with Steph Curry in 13 seasons with the Warriors, Thompson, 34, declined a contract extension offer that suggested the team’s dynastic lineup would come to an end last season.
According to ESPN, Thompson will sign a $50 million, three-year contract to play with All-Star guards Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic for the Mavericks. Last month, Dallas was defeated by the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. The Mavericks have acknowledged that they are sending Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the three-team transaction.
The Warriors will get two second-round selections from the Hornets and a financial trade exception from Dallas, according to reports from ESPN and The Athletic. The Warriors may bring up the exception while discussing trades involving versatile forwards. Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is apparently much sought after by Golden State.
The Warriors reportedly offered Thompson a two-year, $48 million contract last season.
Before this week’s NBA draft, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said the Warriors were still hopeful that Thompson would make a comeback, but he also acknowledged that there were difficulties and feelings on both sides to deal with.
Thompson, who was selected 11th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Washington State, is a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection. He has never played for another NBA team.
Thompson averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while playing with Golden State. He was a career 41.3 percent 3-point shooter. Last season, he averaged 17.6 points per game, which was his lowest total since 2013–14 (18.4 points per game). Last season, he had the second-lowest 3-point shooting percentage of his career with 38.7 percent.
Thompson came off the bench for a portion of the previous campaign. He averaged 19.8 points and shot 43 percent from three-point range in 14 games as a substitute.
In his news conference to open Team USA training camp, Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated that Golden State wants Thompson back.
“Desperately, I want him back,” Kerr exclaimed. “We truly want him back, but he has to make the decision, and we will have our chats. Klay Thompson is he.”
According to reports, Golden State and 26-year-old guard De’Anthony Melton of the 76ers reached a one-year, $12.8 million agreement.
In addition to signing a three-year, $27 million contract with free agency Naji Marshall, Dallas also acquired Quentin Grimes as part of the June 28 transaction that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons.
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