All dynasties eventually come to an end, and the Golden State Warriors are no exception. While the team might have hoped to see their big three—Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green—retire as Warriors, that didn’t happen. Instead, Klay Thompson has joined the Dallas Mavericks, where he will compete for a fifth NBA title after the Mavericks’ recent NBA Finals appearance.
Thompson’s move is emotional, given his successful tenure in the Bay Area, which saw the Warriors win four championships and become one of the NBA’s greatest dynasties. However, it may have been the right decision for both parties. Thompson’s production had declined, and he was no longer significantly helping Curry elevate the team to playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Warriors were struggling with the financial burden of maintaining their former core while trying to build a competitive roster.
Draymond Green, speaking on the Club 520 Podcast, suggested that Thompson did the Warriors a favor by joining the Mavericks. Green noted that Thompson’s departure alleviated the organization’s financial strain. He also mentioned that while Thompson wasn’t unhappy, he wasn’t the happiest in his final season with the Warriors.
Thompson’s role with the Warriors had diminished, which likely contributed to his reduced performance and satisfaction. With Thompson gone, the Warriors used the freed-up cap space to acquire players like De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson, aiming to return to contention during Curry’s legendary career.
Thompson, meanwhile, secured a lucrative deal with the Mavericks and will join Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in pursuit of another championship. Both Irving and Thompson bring valuable championship experience to a Dallas team seeking their second NBA title.
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