Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to join the Dallas Mavericks, closing the historic championship chapter of his career with the Golden State Warriors.
Thompson, 34, teamed with Steph Curry for four NBA championships in 13 seasons with the Warriors but turned down a contract extension offer last season that pointed to the end of the dynastic roster.
ESPN reported Thompson would sign a three-year, $50 million contract to join the Mavericks and team with All-Star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Dallas lost in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics last month. As part of the three-team trade, the Mavericks confirmed they are trading Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets.
ESPN and The Athletic reported the Warriors will receive a financial trade exception from Dallas and two second-round picks from the Hornets. The exception could be used in the Warriors’ trade conversations around versatile forwards. Golden State is reportedly high on Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen.
The contract offer to Thompson from the Warriors last season was reportedly two years, $48 million.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. indicated before the NBA draft last week that the Warriors were still holding out hope Thompson might return, but admitted there were challenges and emotions to navigate on both sides.
A five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA pick, Thompson was the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Washington State and has never played for another NBA team.
A career 41.3 percent 3-point shooter, Thompson averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in Golden State. He scored 17.6 points per game last season, his first season under a 20-point average since 2013-14 (18.4 points per game). His 38.7 percent 3-point accuracy last season is the second-lowest of his career.
Thompson spent part of last season coming off the bench. In 14 games as a reserve, he averaged 19.8 points and shot 43 percent from 3-point range.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said at his press conference kicking off Team USA training camp that Golden State wanted Thompson to return.
“I want him back desperately,” Kerr said. “And we will have our conversations and he’s got to make whatever decision he makes, but we really want him back. He’s Klay Thompson.”
Golden State reportedly agreed to a one-year, $12.8 million deal with former 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton, 26.
Dallas agreed to a deal with free agent Naji Marshall (three years, $27 million) and acquired Quentin Grimes in the trade that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons on June 28.
–Field Level Media
