Report: Warriors part ways with Klay Thompson in sign-and-trade deal to the Mavericks

Thompson’s 13-year career with the Warriors comes to an end after agreeing to a 3-year, $50 million deal with Dallas.

It’s the end of an era for the Golden State Warriors. As NBA free agency gets underway, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that longtime Warriors’ legend Klay Thompson will be leaving the Bay Area for a three-year, $50 million sign-and-trade deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Details of the trade are not yet specified, but it’s a three-team deal that will see Mavericks guard Josh Green go to the Charlotte Hornets.

There is, however, a little skepticism as to how finalized a deal is. The details certainly aren’t finalized, with Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reporting that “a deal is not close.” The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, meanwhile, is hearing that it’s even further off.

Still, it seems inevitable at this point.

Thompson, who has spent his entire 13-year career in a Warriors uniform, became an unrestricted free agent after his previous five-year, $190 million contract expired without a new extension from the team. Despite negotiations over the past two seasons, Thompson and the Warriors’ front office could not come to an agreement on a new deal, with the two sides coming to the conclusion that a sign-and trade would be best for all parties involved.

The sign-and-trade allowed Thompson to sign a bigger contract than he otherwise would have been able to do with Dallas, while giving Golden State an opportunity to recuperate some assets after his departure. Wojnarowski did add that Thompson left larger contracts — both in terms of years and money — on the table to sign with Dallas, because he wanted the opportunity to compete for a fifth NBA title. The Mavericks won the Western Conference this season, before falling in five games to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, while the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers — thought to be favorites for Thompson’s services — had short-lived playoff runs.

Insiders have been buzzing about the growing tension between the Warriors and Thompson this offseason. The five-time All-Star reportedly felt “disrespected” as the team prioritized other avenues for improvement over re-signing him on a new deal.

There was also uncertainty with Thompson’s role on the team moving forward after coming off the bench for the first time in his career this past season. Although his stats showed he can still be a major threat as a shooter — hitting 268 total threes (fourth in the NBA) on 38.7% shooting from behind the arc — Thompson struggled with consistency and, too often, attempted to shoot his way out of slumps to the detriment of the entire offense. Meanwhile, his defensive prowess has waned over the years as injuries and age begin to take its toll on his athleticism.

Having said that, let’s not forget what Thompson means to Dub Nation. He’s a four-time champion who is second in franchise history in made-threes. He’s likely a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer and will undoubtedly have a statue outside of the Chase Center one day.

On the court, he served as the perfect complement to his Splash Brother, Steph Curry. While Curry is considered the greatest shooter ever, Thompson was special in his own right, capable of combusting into the hottest shooter the game has ever seen at any given moment. Whether he was scoring 37-points in a quarter against the Sacramento Kings in 2015, scoring 60 points in three quarters against the Indiana Pacers in 2016, or coming up clutch in numerous “Game 6 Klay” performances, Thompson struck fear in opposing defenses and was a big reason why the Warriors offense remained dominant throughout the dynasty years.

Aside from that, Thompson’s nonchalant lifestyle off the court endeared him to Warriors fans everywhere. The list of iconic Klay moments includes adventures with his dog Rocco, sailing his boat around the Bay, throwing paper airplanes after press conferences, signing a toaster, giving thoughtful interviews about the dangers of scaffolding, and many more.

Although he embarks on this fresh start with the Mavericks, Klay leaves behind a legacy in Golden State that remains untouchable, one that ensures he will always be remembered as one of the greatest Warriors ever.