Klay Thompson’s departure from the Golden State Warriors, after a storied 13-year tenure, resulted from a series of missteps and misunderstandings on both sides. NBA analyst Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe recently shed light on the negotiations that led to Thompson signing a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
“More information is coming out about why Klay Thompson left the Warriors for the Mavericks, and it seems both sides were at fault. Thompson, despite missing two full seasons with injuries, felt he was nearly the same player he was before and the Warriors didn’t agree.”
“Thompson felt as if he should have been compensated with a four-year deal similar to Draymond Green’s and Andrew Wiggins’, especially since neither has lived up to their contracts.”
Thompson, despite suffering two career-threatening injuries that sidelined him for two full seasons, believed he was still the player he used to be. He sought a four-year contract similar to those signed by his teammates Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins in recent years.
The Warriors, however, disagreed with Thompson’s self-assessment and initially offered him a two-year, $48 million contract. This offer fell short of Thompson’s expectations both in terms of money and duration.
Washburn noted that both parties were at fault for the failed negotiations. Thompson’s insistence on a four-year deal, despite his recent injury history and decline in performance, clashed with the Warriors’ more cautious approach. The situation deteriorated to the point where Thompson asked Stephen Curry not to intervene, signaling his desire for a fresh start away from the Bay Area.
Last season, tensions between Thompson and the Warriors’ ownership were palpable. Thompson’s performance was also under scrutiny, as he came off the third-worst season of his career in terms of scoring, averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His shooting percentages—43.2% from the field and a career-low 38.7% from beyond the arc—further complicated his case for a long-term, lucrative contract.
Thompson’s move to the Mavericks marks a new chapter in his career. At his introductory press conference, Thompson expressed excitement about his fresh start in Dallas. “Coming here is just such a fresh start. Feeling just wanted again, like I bring great value, it just gets me excited to go out there and even work out after this press conference and get shots up,” Thompson said. He acknowledged the difficulties of the past year but looked forward to embracing his new team and city.
In Dallas, Thompson will join forces with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, one of the NBA’s most dynamic duos. The Mavericks, fresh off their first NBA Finals appearance since their 2011 championship, are hopeful that Thompson’s experience and shooting prowess will help them achieve further success.
Thompson’s departure from the Warriors underscores the complexities of player-team negotiations, especially when injuries and performance declines are involved. Both sides made mistakes, but Thompson’s new beginning with the Mavericks offers him a chance to rejuvenate his career and contribute to a team with championship aspirations.
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