Klay Thompson’s 13-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors has come to an end. He has joined the Dallas Mavericks via a three-team sign-and-trade on a three-year deal worth $50 million. Thompson’s unrestricted free agency has been a significant talking point surrounding the Warriors for the past 12 months.
Thompson has won four championships in Golden State, however, it appears the front office was looking to move in a new direction. In a recent article for The Atheltic, Anthony Slater reported that Thompson asked Steph Curry not to use his influence with the front office to help him stay with the franchise. He wanted to know if the team wanted to keep him around.
“Among the conversations Thompson had, league sources said — was a request of Stephen Curry not to exert his significant organizational influence and up the temperature with management to ensure Thompson’s return,” Slater reported. “Curry’s measured voice, even if it altered the outcome, wouldn’t change the genuineness of Joe Lacob and the front office’s true desire to have Thompson back.”
Golden State will now be forced to face Thompson in the Western Conference. His addition to the Mavericks roster has strengthened their rotation and will undoubtedly ensure they remain a difficult opponent in the coming years.
Nevertheless, the Warriors are in a re-tooling phase. Losing Thompson will hurt, but it will also allow the coaching staff to elevate some of the younger players within the franchise. Still, it will be interesting to see how everything plays out next season.
