Klay Thompson’s decision to leave the Warriors was not an easy one to make.
The veteran point guard finally agreed to sign a contract three-year, $50 million contract On Monday, the Dallas Mavericks player ended his 13-year career with Golden State. But his departure from the only organization he has ever known in the NBA was not without difficult conversations.
One of them was with his long-time teammate and fellow Splash Brother, Steph Curry.
While negotiations with the Warriors reportedly stalled over the final two weeks leading up to the start of free agency, Thompson spoke with Curry and asked the star guard not to pressure the Warriors’ front office to re-sign Thompson, The Athletic’s press release said. Anthony Slater reported in a featured article on Monday.
“It’s been a multi-layered, five-year process leading up to this divorce, which was rift-torn last season, erupted before and finalized in the past two weeks, where among the conversations Thompson had, league sources said, was a request to Stephen Curry not to exert his significant organizational influence and to turn up the heat with management to secure Thompson’s return,” Slater wrote. “Curry’s measured voice, even if it altered the outcome, would not change the authenticity of Joe Lacob and management’s true desire to have Thompson back.”
It appears his wish was granted, as the Warriors have reportedly had very little communication with Thompson and his representatives over the past few weeks.
And now Thompson is gone.
Curry has a lot of organizational clout and is often asked to approve big moves before management makes them, including the one with Golden State. The failed search for star striker Paul Georgethat he and his longtime teammate Draymond Green They were both on board with before George opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and reportedly agreed to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Thompson made the tough decision on his own and will now join forces with Western Conference rivals Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks, where he will face Curry and the Warriors at least three times during the 2024-25 NBA season.
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