Klay Thompson, a free agency guard, has agreed to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, marking the end of his record 13-year career with the four-time champion Golden State Warriors, according to sources.
Thompson was heavily influenced by the opportunity to contend for a fifth championship with the Western Conference champion Mavericks when he signed the agreement.
The agent representing him, Greg Lawrence of Wasserman, mediated the multi-team transaction that sent Josh Green, a guard or forward for the Mavericks, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for two second-round draft choices from the Warriors.
An insider told us that as part of the trade, Dallas would give the 76ers’ 2025 second-round selection or the Nuggets’ 2025 second-round pick—whichever is less desirable—along with their own 2031 second-round pick.
To discuss the specifics of a potential relationship between the Thompson and Mavericks, Lawrence and Thompson met with Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and vice president Michael Finley at the Bottle Inn in Hermosa Beach, California.
Thompson was reportedly heavily influenced by the Mavericks’ proximity to an NBA title and the financial benefits of residing in Texas rather than California, even though the Lakers were very attractive to him.
Tensions between Thompson and the Warriors rose during his last season with the team as he prepared to leave after an incredible 13-year tenure due to contract talks and impending free agency. The likelihood of him leaving increased as the season went on.
His dissatisfaction intensified as the season progressed and his position with the squad changed, culminating in his removal from the starting lineup in early February and subsequent promotion to the bench later that month.
The 34-year-old Thompson’s 17.9 points per game average last year was his worst since 2012–13.
Having solidified his position in Warriors and NBA history, his career with the team comes to a conclusion. With 518 victories in the regular season and the playoffs, Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green are the sixth-best trio in NBA history. Their combined 98 postseason victories are good for third all-time in NBA history, and their four championships are matched for most by an All-NBA trio in the last 50 seasons, according to data from Stats and Information. Their names are Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker.
In a statement released on Monday, the Warriors expressed their enthusiasm for retiring Thompson’s No. 11 jersey and extended best wishes to him.
“The amount of joy and happiness that Klay provided Warriors fans, Bay Area natives and Dub Nation supporters all around the world has been immense and cannot be minimized,” according to the statement. He has defined a career with his predilection for heroic performances under intense pressure on the grandest stages, such as several heroic efforts in Game 6.
With the retirement of his #11 jersey at Chase Center, Klay will join many other Warriors immortals, including him and others who contributed to the formation of this current dynasty, whose legacies will endure in perpetuity.
“We thank Klay for his contributions and wish him the best as another chapter in his journey is written.”
What did the Mavericks trade for Klay Thompson?
Two second-round selections were delivered to the Warriors by the Mavericks in order to finalize the Klay Thompson sign-and-trade to Dallas, according to sources. As part of the trade, the Hornets will get shooting guard Josh Green, and the Warriors will supposedly get two second-round draft selections in exchange for Thompson.
How much money did the Warriors offer Klay Thompson?
The Warriors reportedly offered Klay Thompson a two-year, $48 million contract last offseason, which he ultimately rejected.
