Draymond Green has shared a fresh perspective on Klay Thompson’s departure from the Golden State Warriors this summer, giving the 13-year Warriors veteran credit for helping the Warriors figure out their salary cap situation by leaving the franchise.
“What Klay just did, and nobody will give him credit for this, is he just relieved this organization of the financial hardships that the organization was starting to face. He still did it for the organization, but nobody will say that.”
“Nobody will say him leaving, because they’ll only make it about, ‘Ahh, he was unhappy.’ Which again, he wasn’t the happiest last year… He provided cap relief for this organization on his way out. You know what I’m saying? He got some picks sent back to the organization on his way out.”
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Green’s comments highlight a positive aspect of Klay’s departure, but it can’t be said that Klay left the Warriors with the intention to help the franchise manage their salary cap. Thompson did get contract extension offers as the Warriors tried to keep the veteran around, but he did leave the franchise because he was unhappy.
The cap relief he provided by leaving is immaterial, as it mostly was an unintended consequence. Klay probably knew his leaving would provide cap relief to the Warriors, but to present it as a decision to help the Warriors just isn’t something anyone would buy.
The Warriors did a great job with the money on their books this offseason, adding the likes of De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson for the price of Klay’s departure. The Mavericks signed him for three years, $50 million, so it seems everyone involved has left the situation with a smile.
Draymond Green Discussed Klay’s Unhappiness On The Warriors
One of the reasons everyone talks about Klay’s departure from the Warriors stemming from his personal unhappiness is because Draymond extensively discussed that subject on his own, including on this episode of the Club 520 podcast.
“I’m happy he’s gone because he wasn’t happy anymore. As a brother, I only want what’s best for you, not what’s best for me, not what’s best for this team. We spent so much time around each other and to see him unhappy the way I saw him unhappy last year… to see someone that does not have a single care in the world all of a sudden can’t shake anything, that bothered me. It was time.”
Clearly, Klay’s emotions drove the decision. Draymond is being a good teammate by giving Warriors fans a reason not to hold resentment toward Klay by mentioning the salary situation.
No matter what Green says, it’s clear that saving salary space for the Warriors wasn’t what went through Klay’s head when he chose to not only sign with the Mavericks. He wanted to be in a happy situation, which is why he avoided re-signing with the Warriors or signing with the Lakers.
Klay averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season for the Warriors. He’ll hope that his fortunes turn around on the Mavericks as he looks to end his career with another championship.
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