Klay Thompson to Join Mavericks in Multi-Team Deal

Klay Thompson, the free-agent wing, is set to depart from his longstanding tenure with the Golden State Warriors to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50-million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Thompson's move concludes his illustrious career with the Warriors as part of a multi-team sign-and-trade agreement. As part of the deal, former Mavericks wing Josh Green will head to the Charlotte Hornets, with Charlotte sending two second-round picks, potentially including one to Golden State.

Sources from The Athletic report that the Warriors will receive two future second-round draft picks from Dallas in exchange.

Despite receiving more lucrative offers elsewhere, including four-year deals, Thompson opted for a lesser contract with Dallas for the chance to pursue a fifth championship, taking into account differences in state taxes. He reportedly met with several teams including Dallas, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Clippers following the Warriors' decision to explore other options in free agency.

Meanwhile, Golden State is preparing to sign former Philadelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton to a one-year, $12.8-million deal, sources informed The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Thompson's recent season saw him averaging 17.9 points, marking his lowest since his second year in the league. He started 63 games and came off the bench for 14, with the Warriors finishing the 2023-24 season with a 46-36 record, narrowly missing the playoffs after a loss in the play-in tournament.

The Mavericks, fresh off an NBA Finals appearance where they fell to the Boston Celtics in five games, cleared cap space for Thompson's acquisition by reportedly trading Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons for guard Quentin Grimes. Additionally, the team signed former New Orleans Pelicans wing Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27-million contract.

Thompson, drafted 11th overall by the Warriors in the 2011 NBA Draft, spent 11 seasons with the franchise, playing a pivotal role in their success with titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. He earned All-NBA third team honors in 2015 and 2016.

At 34 years old, Thompson ranks second in Warriors history for 3-point field goals with 2,481, trailing only his former backcourt partner Stephen Curry. He was the second-longest-tenured player with a single franchise behind Curry.