Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to join the Dallas Mavericks, closing the historic championship chapter of his career with the Golden State Warriors.
Thompson, 34, teamed with Steph Curry for four NBA championships in 13 seasons with the Warriors but turned down a contract extension offer last season that pointed to the end of the dynastic roster.
ESPN reported Thompson would sign a three-year, $50 million contract to join the Mavericks and team with guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Dallas lost in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics last month.
The offer from the Warriors last season was reportedly two years, $48 million.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. indicated before the NBA draft last week that the Warriors were still holding out hope Thompson might return, but admitted there were challenges and emotions to navigate on both sides.
A five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA pick, Thompson was the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Washington State and has never played for another NBA team.
A career 41.3 percent 3-point shooter, Thompson averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in Golden State. He scored 17.6 points per game last season, his first season under a 20-point average since 2013-14 (18.4 points per game). His 38.7 percent 3-point accuracy last season is the second-lowest of his career.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said at his press conference kicking off Team USA training camp that Golden State wanted Thompson to return.
“I want him back desperately,” Kerr said. “And we will have our conversations and he’s got to make whatever decision he makes, but we really want him back. He’s Klay Thompson.”
–Field Level Media
