In a shocking turn of events, Klay Thompson has chosen to leave the Golden State Warriors and sign with the Dallas Mavericks, as reported by USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt. This marks the end of an era for Thompson with the Warriors, where he was a crucial player in winning four championships.
While Thompson is departing from the team, the Warriors have secured another elite scorer in free agency. Buddy Hield is set to join the team in a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Hield’s four-year deal includes $18 million guaranteed and is expected to strengthen the Warriors’ roster. This acquisition comes after the Warriors received a 2031 second-round pick from the Mavericks in exchange for Thompson.
Hield, who previously played for the Indiana Pacers before being traded to the 76ers, had a standout season in 2023-24, averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He will join forces with Steph Curry in the Warriors’ backcourt, forming an unstoppable duo for the team.
Thompson, who had spent his entire career with the Warriors and earned five All-Star selections and four championships, will now begin a new chapter with the Mavericks. He is set to sign a three-year, $50 million deal with Dallas. Thompson’s departure marks a significant change for the Warriors, who will need to adjust their lineup without him.
Despite losing Thompson, it seems that both teams are excited about their respective additions. The Mavericks are thrilled about bringing in such a talented player like Hield while also getting rid of Thompson’s contract that would have been difficult to move otherwise.
On its part, The Warriors are optimistic that their new addition will help them maintain their position as one of the top teams in basketball today.
Overall this news shows how dynamic and competitive NBA free agency can be and how quickly things can change when players make decisions like these which impact not just their own careers but also those of their teams as well as other players within league.
