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On July 2, 2024, Klay Thompson, a key figure in the Golden State Warriors' success over the past decade, finalized a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
This unprecedented move, part of a multi-team sign-and-trade arrangement, marks the end of Thompson's 13-year career with the Warriors.
Let us briefly take a moment to reflect on his numerous accomplishments with the team and the factors that led to his surprising departure.
The Golden Dynasty of the Golden State Warriors
Drafted with the 11th pick by the Golden State Warriors in 2011, Klay Thompson quickly became an integral part of the team with his exceptional spot-up shooting and lock-down defense.
Alongside Stephen Curry, he formed the best shooting backcourt of all time, as they both revolutionized the game with their prolific three-point shooting, shattering countless records and paving the foundations for modern-day basketball strategies.
This dynamic duo, known as the “Splash Bros,” soon became a formidable big three with the defensive prowess of Draymond Green as they finished the 2015 NBA season with an NBA championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers led by Lebron James.
Not long after, this big three once again transcended expectations as they finished the 2016 NBA season with a historic 73-9 record - the best regular-season record in NBA history.
Following an unexpected NBA finals defeat after choking a famous 3-1 lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Warriors once again reclaimed NBA dominance by signing Kevin Durant the following year, creating a superteam the likes of which basketball had never seen as they went on to win two consecutive championships in 2017 and 2018.
However, this success was short-lived as injuries plagued the team just when competing for their third straight championship.
Klay Thompson suffered a devastating torn ACL in the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, and Kevin Durant ruptured his Achilles in the same series - and as a result, the Warriors ultimately lost to the Raptors in six games.
With Durant's departure in free agency and Thompson's extended recovery, the future of the Warriors was in question, as it seemingly marked the end of the Golden era.
Despite these setbacks, Klay Thompson made a remarkable comeback, though not quite at the same level as his pre-injury self.
His return, however, was instrumental in helping the Warriors win their fourth championship in 2022, demonstrating their unwavering determination for victory.
Klay Thompson's Individual Accolades and Memorable Games
Before discussing his departure, let us look back at his achievements, such as his success with the Warriors extended beyond championships.
Aside from being a four-time NBA champion, his notable achievements include:
* Five-time NBA All-Star
* Two-time All-NBA Third Team selection
* NBA All-Defensive Second Team
* NBA Three-Point Contest champion
Memorable Games:
* January 23, 2015: Scored 37 points in a single quarter against the Sacramento Kings, setting a historic NBA record.
* December 5, 2016: Scored 60 points in just 29 minutes against the Indiana Pacers, one of the most efficient high-scoring games in the history of the NBA.
* October 29, 2018: Broke the NBA record for most three-pointers in a single game, hitting 14 threes and scoring 52 points in just 27 minutes against the Chicago Bulls.
The Departure of Klay Thompson
One could say that everything ends as empires will always crumble, as even gold may lose its luster over time.
Thompson's move to the Dallas Mavericks and departure from the Golden State Warriors is a momentous shift in the landscape of the NBA as it signifies not only the end of an era but also the potential start of a new big three in the Dallas Mavericks - a team that recently just made the NBA finals.
A pivotal moment leading up to his departure was an ice-cold performance in an elimination game during the 2024 playoffs, where Thompson went 0-10 from the field against the Sacramento Kings - making the Warriors lose their ticket to the NBA playoffs.
Likewise, Thompson's contract status influenced his departure. Entering the 2024 offseason, Thompson became an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
The Warriors and Thompson had disagreed on a contract extension during the previous season, with Thompson reportedly turning down a two-year, $48 million extension offer from the team.
Seeking a more lucrative deal, Thompson then explored the waters of free agency as he unexpectedly signed with the Dallas Mavericks, allowing the Warriors to manage their luxury tax commitments for the future.
Ultimately, the Warriors faced the difficult decision of balancing their financial constraints with Thompson's desires, leading to his departure.
This move by Thompson shocked millions of basketball fans worldwide as there was a consensus that Thompson would begin and end his career with the Golden State Warriors.
In an Instagram post, Stephen Curry said, "Gonna miss you @klaythompson. Even though we won't finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again."
He wrote, "Couldn't have imagined a better run with you and [Draymond Green]. Changed the whole Bay Area. Changed the way the game is played."
The End of the Golden Era and the Uncertain Future of the Golden State Warriors
With Thompson's departure, the Warriors' future looks bleak and uncertain as Stephen Curry (36) and Draymond Green (34) are both in their mid-30s.
And while they remain highly skilled, their inevitable aging means they may not be able to maintain the same level of performance and durability that led the team to multiple championships.
The Warriors have experienced a decline in success since their fourth NBA championship, with a second-round elimination in the playoffs last year and an unexpected miss from the playoffs entirely this season.
Moreover, the Warriors are also in the fiercely contested Western Conferences, where other potential NBA dynasties are also beginning to form.
Likewise, while there is hope for the Warrior’s future with blossoming talent such as Jonathan Kuminga, it is genuinely uncertain whether the Warriors can continue their golden dynasty by removing one of their core foundations.
As the team navigates this transition, the impact of losing one of their most iconic players will be deeply felt both on and off the court.
After thirteen years, four championships, and historic success, Klay Thompson ends his career with the Golden State Warriors.
Can the Warriors reinvent themselves to reclaim their former glory, and will Klay find new success in his next chapter?
- Russell Bryce Dy
