The Golden State Warriors dynasty is allegedly coming to an end with Klay Thompson’s agreement to sign a contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
Thompson was a member of one of the most dominating dynasties in sports during his 13-year stay with the Warriors, but the move ends his time there.After leading the team to the NBA Finals, where they were defeated in five games by the Boston Celtics, the 34-year-old will go to Dallas to reunite with All-Stars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
According to Charania, Dallas will send two second-round draft picks to Golden State as part of a sign-and-trade agreement that includes Thompson and the Mavericks and Warriors.
Inquiries about confirmation of the reports and comments have been made by CNN to the Mavericks. The Warriors issued a statement on Monday confirming Thompson’s departure and expressing gratitude for his services.
With four NBA Championships, six visits to the NBA Finals, five participation in the NBA All-Star Game, and numerous NBA records under his belt over his 13 years with the Warriors, the organization noted, “We can’t overstate Klay Thompson’s incredible and legendary contributions with the Warriors.” During the Warriors’ 2022 NBA Championship parade, Thompson raises the Larry O’Brien trophy in celebration.
“His tendency to perform well under duress on the greatest stage—many heroics in Game 6 included—has helped shape a career. When Klay’s #11 jersey is retired at Chase Center, he will join a number of Warriors legends, including those who contributed to the formation of the current dynasty, including himself. His legacy will endure forever.
In 2011, Golden State selected Thompson 11th overall in the draft. He became known as one of the game’s top three-point shooters and an excellent two-way player over the course of the following ten years, joining backcourt teammate Steph Curry in the explosive “Splash Brothers” tandem.
The Warriors won the NBA title in 2015, led by former defensive player of the year Draymond Green, who completed a formidable trifecta.
They were joined by former MVP Kevin Durant for the 2016–17 season, and over the next two campaigns, they would win two more titles, before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals after the league’s best ever regular season record in 2016.
Thompson had two severe injury setbacks in the last few years. During Golden State’s NBA Finals loss to the Toronto Raptors, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. As a result, he missed the whole 2019 season.
Although an Achilles injury before the season began kept him out of action for the whole 2020–21 season, he was expected to make a comeback.After a long absence, he returned in January 2022 and went on to win his fourth championship in that campaign.
In the NBA Finals of 2022, Thompson drives to the hoop while facing the Boston Celtics. After that, Golden State won the series in six games.
According to Wojnarowski, Thompson’s once-unthinkable exit from the Warriors became more realistic after a contentious final season in which the team missed the playoffs completely with his role dwindling. Thompson scored 17.9 points per game last season—his lowest since 2013—after being benched for the first time since his rookie season.