According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Klay Thompson is preparing to sign a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks as part of a sign-and-trade involving the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets.
Thompson, who spent his first 13 seasons with the Warriors, signed a five-year, $189.9 million deal with them in 2019 despite recovering from a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2019-20 season. He faced further setbacks with an Achilles injury in the following offseason, missing substantial playing time until his return in January 2021. Despite his return to form as a shooter, hitting 41.2 percent of his threes in 2022-23, Thompson’s impact on defense has noticeably diminished.
BREAKING: Free agent Klay Thompson plans to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50M deal with a player option, sources tell ESPN. Thompson ends his historic Warriors run as part of a multi-team sign-and-trade that’ll also send Josh Green to Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/4GJ5hR3H5o
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
The Warriors’ decision to trade Thompson reflects their strategic shift amid the new collective bargaining agreement’s financial realities. Golden State’s failed pursuit of Paul George in free agency opened the door for Dallas to secure Thompson, marking a significant change for the franchise given Thompson’s foundational role.
Joining the Mavericks, Thompson will bolster a team fresh from an NBA Finals appearance and featuring stars like Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, promising him ample opportunities for open three-pointers and potentially making the Mavericks’ offense one of the league’s most dynamic.
