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[Saba Sports News] Klay Thompson has agreed to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Initially, there was a holdup regarding what the Golden State Warriors would receive, but it has been resolved. The sign-and-trade deal will send Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets and two second-round picks to the Warriors. Thompson, a five-time All-Star and four-time champion, has spent his entire career with the Warriors.
Due to years of luxury taxes and draft picks spent on potential replacements, and after an unsuccessful pursuit of Paul George, the Warriors chose not to re-sign Thompson, paving the way for him to join Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas.
The Warriors had offered Thompson a two-year, $48 million deal last offseason, which he rejected. In contrast, Draymond Green secured a four-year, $100 million deal, and Jordan Poole got a four-year, $128 million contract. During the season, the Warriors began to rely more on rookie Brandin Podziemski, even bringing Thompson off the bench at times.
The trio of Thompson, Green, and Stephen Curry, with the third-most playoff wins in NBA history, will now split up. Curry is the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers, with Thompson at No. 6.
Thompson joins a Mavericks team needing an additional shooter after struggling in the NBA Finals. He will have to adjust to Dallas’ heliocentric offense built around Doncic, contrasting with the Warriors’ motion offense. Thompson was also linked to the Lakers and Clippers, but the Mavericks, as reigning Western Conference champions, present a more formidable opportunity for the 2024-25 season.