SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson #11 watches from the bench during the second quarter of their NBA play-in tournament game against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden One Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, April 16, 2023. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Klay Thompson’s tenure with the Warriors seems to be nearing its end. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
For several months, Warriors fans have anticipated the possibility of Thompson’s departure, but this prospect became more concrete on Saturday when The Athletic reported that the team is preparing for Thompson’s exit.
Reports indicate that there has been almost no communication between the Warriors and Thompson over the past two weeks, during which they had an exclusive window to negotiate his return. Both sides now believe that Thompson’s time in the Bay Area is coming to a close.
Thompson had already hinted at this outcome by removing all references to the Warriors from his social media.
With Thompson set to become a free agent for the first time in his 13-year career on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks are reportedly very interested in acquiring his talents. All three teams aim to compete next season and need additional 3-point shooting. Other teams with salary cap space are also expected to show interest.
The Lakers and Mavericks can both offer Thompson the $12.9 million midlevel exception, with LeBron James reportedly willing to take a pay cut to help the Lakers. The Warriors are also reportedly open to facilitating a sign-and-trade.
Klay Thompson’s career with the Warriors has been remarkable.
Regardless of how Thompson’s time with the Warriors concludes, his legacy as a cornerstone of a dynasty remains intact.
Thompson’s four championship rings only partially reflect his impact. Alongside Stephen Curry, Thompson formed one of the greatest backcourts in NBA history, with the Splash Brothers sparking a 3-point shooting revolution in the league.
Thompson ranks sixth on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointer list, behind Curry, Ray Allen, James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Reggie Miller, despite never being the primary shooter on his team. Alongside Curry and Harden, he is one of only three players to make more than 300 3-pointers in a single season.
He also holds the record for most 3-pointers in a single game with 14, and for consecutive 3-pointers made.
At his peak, Thompson was capable of delivering unstoppable performances like few others in NBA history. However, health issues have plagued him since 2019, when he tore his ACL. A torn Achilles tendon followed in 2020, leading to a 2.5-season layoff. He recovered sufficiently to be a key player in the Warriors’ 2022 championship, but it became evident that the Warriors were not going to offer him another substantial contract at the age of 34.
Thus, Thompson now seems poised to leave. Any departure will likely be temporary, as he is destined for the Hall of Fame and will always be remembered as a Warriors legend.
