Klay Thompson has played his final game in a Golden State Warriors jersey, with the team announcing plans to retire his number in honor of his contributions.
Thompson is departing from the Warriors, agreeing to join the Dallas Mavericks after spending his entire 13-year NBA career with Golden State. Sources familiar with the decision revealed on Monday that the four-time league champion will move on to a new chapter in his career.
ESPN and The Athletic were the first to report on the multi-team deal, structured as a sign-and-trade involving a three-year, $50 million contract among the Warriors, Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets. The sources spoke anonymously to The Associated Press because the agreement has yet to be officially announced.
The Warriors, in a statement released Monday night, paid tribute to Thompson without directly mentioning Dallas, per league regulations prohibiting acknowledgment of trade specifics until official announcements are made. The team expressed deep gratitude for Thompson’s remarkable contributions, highlighting his pivotal role in the team’s success and his enduring impact on fans.
Ranked sixth on the NBA’s all-time list for 3-pointers made, Thompson leaves behind a legacy of clutch performances and memorable moments, notably alongside his former teammate Stephen Curry. Last season hinted at a potential separation between Thompson and the Warriors, marked by changes in his playing role and statistical performance.
Following a challenging season and a playoff exit, Thompson reflected on his Warriors tenure after a disappointing play-in tournament loss. It now appears that game was indeed his last with the franchise, as he prepares to bolster the Mavericks’ roster alongside stars like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
As part of the trade, the Charlotte Hornets are set to acquire guard Josh Green, including two second-round draft picks. Green, the 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft, has played all his NBA seasons with the Mavericks, contributing solidly across multiple statistical categories.
The NBA’s moratorium on signings and offseason moves is scheduled to conclude this weekend, allowing for the official execution of pending transactions.
