After a Hall-of-Fame 13-year career with the Golden State Warriors that included four championships, five All-Star selections, and six Finals appearances, Klay Thompson has signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks. This move marks the end of his storied tenure with the Warriors, closing a chapter filled with triumphs and challenges.
Thompson’s exit followed a rocky period marked by significant injuries—tearing his ACL and Achilles tendon in consecutive summers. Despite these setbacks, he played a crucial role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship win upon his return. At that time, Thompson was in the third year of a five-year, $189 million contract, which the Warriors had signed knowing he would miss the entire 2019-20 season and, unexpectedly, the next season as well. Over two seasons, the Warriors paid Thompson around $70 million despite him not playing a single game.
In the ensuing years, the Warriors extended lucrative deals to other players, including a $123 million extension for Jordan Poole and a four-year, $100 million contract for Draymond Green. Before the past season, the Warriors reportedly offered Thompson a two-year, $48 million extension. However, differing accounts emerged regarding the firmness and sincerity of this offer, as reported by The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
Thompson, who did not sign the extension, became a free agent this summer. He had experienced a season where he was occasionally removed from both starting and closing lineups, raising doubts about the Warriors’ genuine interest in retaining him. This led him to request Stephen Curry not to use his influence to pressure management into keeping him. According to Slater, Thompson’s decision stemmed from a desire to be valued on his own merits rather than as a favor to Curry.
This sentiment is understandable. Thompson wanted his contributions to the Warriors, which helped build a near $8 billion franchise valuation, to be recognized independently. He wished for his return to be based on his intrinsic value rather than as a gesture towards Curry.
Ultimately, the Warriors valued Thompson but not to the extent he desired. They preferred to retain him on their terms, not his. Slater reports that Thompson’s departure became inevitable when the Warriors prioritized other moves, such as trading for Paul George, over securing Thompson’s future.
Thompson’s decision to leave reflects the harsh realities of professional basketball. The Warriors, aiming to reduce luxury tax liabilities, treated Klay Thompson with less urgency, acknowledging his decline from his peak performance. Despite the tough business decisions, Thompson’s legacy with the Warriors remains significant. In time, he may come to understand the business considerations that led to this outcome.
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