It still doesn’t feel real for many Golden State Warriors fans, but Klay Thompson is officially out the door. The four-time NBA champion is set to join the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade that will significantly boost the Mavs’ chances of returning to the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, the Dubs will be scrambling to assemble a team that would be able to help Stephen Curry make one more serious run for the title during his career’s twilight years. However, doing so without the other Splash Brother may feel like a mistake for quite some time.
While the Warriors are trying to sort out the mess that is their roster, a new report about Klay’s final days with Golden State emerges. The report puts a whole new perspective on how the entire saga developed.
Klay Thompson told Stephen Curry not to convince the Golden State Warriors to pay him
NBA Central posted an update on what happened during Thompson’s final days at the Chase Center, as many fans weren’t convinced that Curry would just let his long-time backcourt partner leave without him having anything to say about it.
Klay Thompson told Steph Curry not to demand that the front office pay him, per @anthonyVslater
"I was told that Klay requested of Steph, 'Don't exert your influence. Don't demand that they do right by me financially. I want them to, want to [do that on their own]'"
(Via… pic.twitter.com/LoTtnQb8ct
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 2, 2024
The Warriors could have kept Thompson in the Warriors for longer if their franchise cornerstone decided to use his pull within the organization. Thompson thought the Warriors would offer him the money if they really wanted him to stay.
Unfortunately, that turned out to be false as he’s now preparing to wear another jersey that’s not the Golden State blue and gold.
Fortunately for the Splash Brother, he’s joining a contender that features an exciting young star in Luka Doncic and another seasoned playoff performer in Kyrie Irving.
If Klay played like he did last season (17.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.3 APG on 43.2% FG and 38.7% 3FG), there’s no reason the Mavs wouldn’t be able to return to the NBA Finals.
