Mavs make big splash, acquire Klay Thompson in historic six-team deal

The deal had the Mavs part ways with fourth-year swingman Josh Green and a second-round pick in what became the first six-team trade in NBA history.

Besides the Mavs and Warriors, the other teams involved in the historic trade were Charlotte, Denver, Minnesota and Philadelphia. The Hornets will receive guard Reggie Jackson, Green, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick, the Nuggets will obtain some cash, and the Timberwolves will obtain a 2025 second-round pick, a 2031 second-round pick swaps and cash.

Elsewhere, the Warriors will receive forward Kyle Anderson and guard Buddy Hield, and the Sixers will acquire a 2031 second-round pick.

Thompson was signed to a three-year, $50 million contract. He helped the Warriors win four NBA championships – the last in 2022 after Golden State defeated the Mavs in five games in the Western Conference Finals. At 6-6 and 220 pounds, Thompson is the perfect fit for a Mavs squad that lost in the NBA Finals last month to the Boston Celtics in five games.

A future Hall of Fame player, Thompson joins a pair of Mavs’ future Hall of Fame guards in Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving while also increasing the profile of a Mavs’ squad that cements itself as a major threat to win next season’s NBA title. While the Mavs made just 18 percent of their open three-pointers in the Finals against the Celtics, Thompson is extremely capable of filling that void since he was second in the league in catch-and-shoot three-pointers last season and also converted 1,575 catch-and-shoot three-pointers over the past 10 seasons.

In forming a Big 3 alongside Dončić and Irving, Thompson saw the opportunity to win multiple NBA titles with the Mavs. That likely was a primary reason he chose to sign with Dallas rather than with other high-profile suitors like the Los Angeles Lakers. Plus, unlike California, Texas has no state taxes, which also increases Thompson’s financial coffers and played a role in his decision to sign with the Mavs.

Acquiring Thompson is a testament to the aggressiveness of Mavs general manager Nico Harrison, who, in three short years on the job has engineered multiple significant trades that helped get the Mavs to the 2022 Western Conference Finals and to last season’s NBA Finals. Thompson was Harrison’s top free agent choice this summer, and he was able to secure his services while keeping the Mavs mentioned among the NBA’s elite teams.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for the best times of my life,” Thompson wrote. “It was such an honor to put that Dubs jersey on from day 1.

“I really just wanted to be the best I could be and help bring as many championships as possible to the region. The best part was not the rings though. It was the friendships I made that will last a lifetime. Don’t be sad it’s over. Be happy it happened.”

Thompson and his ex-Splash Brothers teammate – Curry – are regarded as one of the most dominant backcourt duos ever assembled in the NBA. After it was apparent Thompson was going to sign with the Mavs, Curry went on his Instagram account to pay tribute to his former teammate.

“Gonna miss you @klaythompson,” Curry wrote. “Even though we won’t finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. Couldn’t have imagined a better run with you and (Draymond Green). Changed the whole Bay Area.

“Changed the way the game is played. Killa Klay at the center of it all. Thank you for everything bro. Go enjoy playing basketball and doing what you do. Splash Bros 4 life my guy.”

Draymond Green, Thompson and Curry combined to win 518 regular season games during their time together. That’s the sixth-most wins by any trio in NBA history.

That trio is also third among all-time trios in playoff victories with 98. The San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili (126) top that list, followed by the Lakers’ threesome of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Cooper (110).

We’re thrilled to have Klay join us in Dallas,” Harrison said. “As one of the league’s greatest shooters who competes on both ends, we feel Klay is a perfect fit for our team. He adds a strong, experienced veteran voice that will help us continue to build on the success we’ve seen in recent years.

“Klay’s championship experience, clutch performances and calm demeanor under pressure exemplify what it takes to win in the NBA at the highest level. He will help us continue to grow towards our goal of winning another championship.”

The acquisition of Thompson is a big-time addition for the Mavs, particularly since they won a battle with the Lakers to land one of the biggest fish in this summer’s free agency pool. Not only was