Klay Thompson was traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks on the second day of the 2024 offseason free agent market. With the departure of Klay Thompson, the so-called dynasty and triumvirate of the Golden State Warriors are also announced to be completely dismantled and ended.
After Klay Thompson was traded away, the Golden State Warriors management, in order to avoid being scolded by some fans who like Klay Thompson. The Golden State Warriors directly announced that they would retire Klay Thompson's jersey. There will be no player in the future, wearing the No. 11 jersey at the Golden State Warriors to express the team's recognition of Klay Thompson's dedication and contribution.
"We can't overstate Klay Thompson's incredible and legendary contributions to the Warriors over the course of 13 years, winning four NBA championships, reaching the NBA Finals six times, playing in the NBA All-Star Game five times, and setting multiple NBA records, including the most points scored in a quarter (37) and the most three-pointers (14) in NBA history."
"The joy and happiness that Klay brings to Warriors fans, Bay Area locals, and Dub Nation supporters around the world is tremendous and cannot be minimized. He enjoys performing under pressure on the biggest stages, including many heroic performances from Game 6, which helped define his career. Klay's legacy will live on forever, and we look forward to the day when we can retire his No. 11 jersey at the Chase Center, where he will join a group of immortal warriors, including those who have helped shape this recent dynasty, including himself. ”
"We thank Clay for his contribution and wish him all the best as another chapter of his journey is written."
According to reports, the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to offer Klay Thompson a four-year, $80 million contract. However, Klay Thompson ended up choosing the Dallas Mavericks, who were $50 million for three years. That's a difference of $30 million a year, but given the state taxes and championship chances, joining the Mavericks is the best option.
Just when everyone thought that Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors' feud would end completely because of this deal. However, the Warriors media soon complained and smeared Klay Thompson on the show, saying that his attitude was problematic and he couldn't work hard before he was traded away by the Golden State Warriors.
Warriors reporter Jason Dumas said on 95.7 that Klay Thompson's attitude issues, while not as obvious and up-to-the-top as Draymond Green, are causing overall discomfort in the locker room.
"For the last three years, I've known that Draymond has hit people and allowed himself to be suspended...... Clay is just as exhausting behind the scenes. Not so loud. It's not that loud because it's not you stepping on someone else's chest. ”
"If he throws something off the bench and sulks, and he does it on the court, how do you think that would be in practice? What do you think of the dressing room? Uncomfortable all the time. It's true, he's just not as loud as Draymond Green. ”
Helped the team reach the finals six times and won four championships. When it comes to reimbursements for back-to-back seasons, the Golden State Warriors only pay a small amount of wages, most of which are paid by insurance companies. The 34-year-old Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors are unwilling to give a contract with an annual salary of $30 million, and directly give it less than $50 million for 2 years.
You must know that Chris Paul, who was 38 years old last season, gave $30 million to the Golden State Warriors. In the end, the Golden State Warriors' reluctance to give a big contract with a maximum salary was Klay Thompson's fault. Klay Thompson, as the four-time champion of the Golden State Warriors, could not get the biggest contract, and felt that the contract offered to him by the Warriors did not respect him, and it was normal to have a temper.
Klay Thompson is indeed playing with emotions, and it can only be said that the Golden State Warriors management also has problems, they have not dealt with Klay Thompson's emotional problems, and they have not tried to appease them. Their attitude towards Klay Thompson is also very obvious, giving such a contract, if you love to sign it, if you don't sign it, you will get out.
In fact, Klay Thompson is very close to joining the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James was revealed to be willing to take a $16 million salary cut, hoping that the Lakers would sign Klay Thompson. However, the chip given by the Lakers was D'Angelo Russell, which made the Golden State Warriors directly stunned and decisively closed the trade conversation.
"He and his agent...... Negotiations are underway with a number of teams, including the Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. They talked about it tonight. I heard that LeBron James called Klay Thompson at 6 p.m. ET when the free agent market opened. Reach out and talk to Klay Thompson. My expectation now is that these dialogues will continue, and the negotiations will continue until tomorrow. ”
Klay Thompson's father, Mikal Thompson, reportedly wants his son to sign with the Lakers. Mikal Thompson played for the Lakers, helping the team win two NBA championships in the 80s.
Moreover, there is news that the Lakers offered Klay Thompson about $80 million for four years. However, in the end, Klay Thompson chose to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract. The main reason is that the Dallas Mavericks can bring themselves a fifth championship in the future, and there are no state taxes in Texas, which makes Klay Thompson's $50 million actual salary very high. Unlike in the Golden State Warriors, state taxes are as high as 30-40%.