Klay Thompson was the soul of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty. Thompson is among the biggest shooters in NBA historical past by any measure, and at his peak, he was a disruptive perimeter defender who helped make Golden State’s protection almost as scary as its offense. Flanked by the legend Stephen Curry and defensive mastermind Draymond Inexperienced, Thompson helped the Warriors win 4 NBA championships.
Then Golden State simply let him stroll in free company this previous summer season with out a lot of a combat.
Thompson is now a member of the Dallas Mavericks. On Tuesday, the veteran capturing guard returns to the Bay Space for the primary time as a member of an opposing workforce. It guarantees to be an emotional night time for Thompson and his former Warriors teammates, however the dangerous blood between the veteran star and the group stays palpable.
Anybody taking note of the Warriors final season may sense a divorce with Thompson coming. Head coach Steve Kerr benched Thompson at one level earlier than he finally regained his beginning spot, but it surely was clear the group was prioritizing youthful expertise round Curry and Inexperienced.
The Warriors made positive Curry and Inexperienced had been rewarded with new contracts once they had been up for extensions. Golden State additionally made a proposal to Thompson lengthy earlier than he hit free company, but it surely wasn’t the identical nine-figure deal that Curry and Inexperienced received. Getting ready to his thirty fifth birthday, Thompson is away from the Bay for the primary time in his professional profession, and is now enjoying for a Mavericks workforce that might see the Warriors deep within the playoffs.
What had been the components that led to Thompson’s breakup with the Warriors? How deep does the dangerous blood run? Let’s dive into how and why Thompson left Golden State.
Klay Thompson’s back-to-back leg accidents modified his profession perpetually
The Golden State Warriors appeared poised to three-peat as they entered the 2019 NBA Finals. Then Kevin Durant tore his Achilles in Sport 5, and Thompson tore his ACL in Sport 6. The Toronto Raptors received the sequence to say their first NBA championship ever, and despatched the Warriors right into a tailspin.
Durant left the Warriors in free company to signal with the Brooklyn Nets that summer season. Thompson would miss the whole 2019-2020 season as he rehabbed his torn ACL. As he was readying to return for the 2020-2021 season, Thompson suffered a torn Achilles in coaching. He could be sidelined for the whole season once more. The Warriors paid him $68 million complete in these two seasons for zero performed video games.
As Thompson was out, a few of his youthful teammates began to emerge.
The Warriors win 2022 championship with Thompson enjoying a key function
The Warriors began to appear like the Warriors once more when Thompson returned. Thompson made his return on Jan. 9, 2022. He would play and begin 32 video games for the remainder of the 12 months. The Warriors received 53 video games on the season, and entered the playoffs because the No. 3 seed within the West.
The Warriors reached the 2022 NBA Finals, the place they defeated the Boston Celtics in six video games to say the fourth ring of the dynasty. Thompson made 35.1 p.c of his 57 three-point makes an attempt within the NBA Finals whereas enjoying greater than 38 minutes per sport.
Thompson’s comeback was a tremendous story, but it surely was clear he wasn’t but the identical participant he was earlier than the accidents, and maybe by no means could be once more. The Warriors received the title principally due to Curry’s brilliance, but additionally received key contributions from Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, two gamers the workforce would prioritize re-signing over Thompson.
Wiggins and Poole receives a commission, Inexperienced punches Poole
After the championship, the Warriors determined to re-sign Wiggins and Poole whereas Inexperienced and Thompson waited for extensions. Wiggins signed a four-year, $109 million deal. Poole signed for 4 years, $140 million. Inexperienced and Thompson had been each reportedly pissed off that the workforce gave the youthful gamers offers however not the foundational stars subsequent to Curry for 4 titles.
Inexperienced punched Poole within the face in coaching camp because the Warriors had been about to start out their title protection. Golden State solely received 44 video games, and had been knocked out within the second spherical of the playoffs.
Inexperienced signed a $100 million deal the next summer season. Poole was traded for Chris Paul. In the meantime, Thompson entered the ultimate 12 months of his contract with out an extension.
The Warriors supply Klay Thompson a contract
The Warriors reportedly supplied Thompson a two-year, $48 million extension. That provide reportedly didn’t keep on the desk as Thompson’s play began to slide and workforce continued to prioritize youthful gamers.
The Warriors by no means actually hit their stride within the 2023-2024 season. The workforce received 46 video games, however didn’t make the playoffs after being eradicated within the play-in event. Anybody paying consideration may inform Thompson was depressing.
Klay Thompson’s ‘depressing’ remaining season on the Warriors
Thompson gave followers a uncommon look into the psyche of an elite athlete who was slipping from their peak through the 2023-24 season. He was typically combative with the media, however at all times sincere about how he felt about his diminishing function with the workforce. Thompson’s first viral press convention of the season occurred in late Nov. as he questioned his doubters:
Thompson was finally benched by head coach Steve Kerr in Feb. in favor of rookie Brandin Podziemski. He would regain his beginning spot later within the season, however by that time his discontent was clear.
Thompson gave one other viral interview within the locker room in Feb. You may hear the ache in his voice.
Klay Thompson mentioned it’s laborious to not shut: “Yeah, you kidding me? To go from top-of-the-line gamers…It’s laborious for anyone.”
Klay credited the younger guys.
Draymond from off digicam (to reporters): “I didn’t shut Sport 5 of the Finals. Who the f*** cares?” pic.twitter.com/CzYNX4vulw
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 6, 2024
Thompson’s remaining sport with the Warriors was a brick fest. He shot 0-for-10 from the sector because the Warriors had been eradicated by the Sacramento Kings within the play-in event.
After the sport, Thompson soaked within the scene for what could be his remaining time in a Golden State uniform:
Klay Thompson goes 0-of-10 capturing in Sacramento elimination sport and exits to an unknown Warriors future. Right here he’s strolling off the court docket. Largest GSW offseason query is whether or not he’ll put on this jersey once more. pic.twitter.com/UEhaufsc0W
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 17, 2024
Thompson requested Curry to not affect Warriors’ free agent resolution
Thompson’s representatives made one remaining overture to the Warriors, reportedly providing a two-year, $40 million deal. Golden State was busy chasing Paul George and perhaps Lauri Markkanen on the time.
Thompson reportedly requested Curry to not affect the Warriors’ free company resolution.
It’s been a layered five-year path to this divorce, splintering final season, sprouting earlier and finalizing within the final couple weeks, the place —among the many conversations Thompson had, league sources mentioned — was a request of Stephen Curry to not exert his important organizational affect and up the temperature with administration to make sure Thompson’s return. Curry’s measured voice, even when it altered the end result, wouldn’t change the genuineness of Joe Lacob and the entrance workplace’s true want to have Thompson again.
The franchise would let him stroll.
Klay Thompson indicators with the Mavericks
Together with his Warriors tenure over, Thompson entered free company for the primary time at 34 years previous. He was within the Lakers, Thunder, and Mavericks. The Lakers had been reportedly weighing an $80 million supply, but it surely was contingent on the Warriors or a 3rd workforce taking D’Angelo Russell.
Thompson determined to signal with the Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal. The Mavericks had been coming off an NBA Finals look, and Thompson was intrigued by the chance to play along with his former Group USA teammate Kyrie Irving in addition to Luka Doncic.
Thompson spoke about what the chance in Dallas meant to him on the introductory press convention.
Thompson returns to the Bay
Thompson is off to a stable begin for the Mavericks this 12 months. He’s averaging 13.8 factors per sport and capturing 35.4 p.c from three. He’s enjoying half-hour per sport and has began each sport to this point.
It positive feels bizarre to see Klay again within the Bay sporting a special uniform.
Thompson can be remembered perpetually as a Warrior. Now he’s attempting to put in writing an ideal closing chapter to his profession with a brand new contender out West within the Mavericks.
