Klay Thompson, a cornerstone of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty, has agreed to join the Dallas Mavericks, according to The Associated Press. This decision marks the end of Thompson’s 13-year tenure with the Warriors, during which he became a four-time NBA champion and one of the greatest shooters in league history.
The deal, reportedly a three-year, $50 million contract, is expected to be executed as a sign-and-trade involving the Warriors, Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets. While the teams cannot officially announce the trade due to league rules, the Warriors released a statement praising Thompson’s contributions and confirming plans to retire his No. 11 jersey.
Klay Thompson’s departure comes after a season that showed signs of a potential split. He came off the bench for the first time since his rookie year in 14 games and experienced a slight decline in his shooting percentages and scoring average. His Warriors career ended with a disappointing performance in a play-in tournament loss to Sacramento.
In Dallas, Thompson is set to join forces with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, potentially forming a formidable offensive trio for the Mavericks, who reached the NBA Finals in 2023.
The news of Klay Thompson’s move coincided with several other significant free agency agreements:
1. Tyrese Maxey agreed to a five-year, $204 million extension with the Philadelphia 76ers.
2. Derrick White secured a four-year extension worth approximately $125 million with the Boston Celtics.
3. Isaiah Hartenstein is leaving the New York Knicks for the Oklahoma City Thunder on a three-year, $87 million deal.
4. Tobias Harris is joining the Detroit Pistons on a two-year, $52 million contract.
5. The Thunder also finalized extensions with Isaiah Joe ($48 million) and Aaron Wiggins ($47 million).
These moves, totaling around $565 million in commitments, highlight the significant financial investments teams are making in both established stars and emerging talents.