After a wildly profitable 13-year run that includes 4 championships and an unstoppable dynasty, it’s onerous to think about Klay Thompson taking part in for any group apart from the Golden State Warriors.
And but right here we’re, with Thompson signing a three-year, $50 million cope with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
However how did we go from Thompson and the Warriors being a match made in heaven to a divorce that after appeared unthinkable?
Let’s break down how this entire factor fell aside.
After all, the central situation right here is cash. In easy phrases, Thompson is nowhere close to the participant he as soon as was, so the Warriors had been reluctant to supply him an enormous contract.
This actually rubbed Thompson the improper approach, in response to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
“I do know firsthand that Klay [Thompson] is disenchanted in the place negotiations have gotten thus far, to the truth that he’s wanting elsewhere,” Haynes stated on NBA TV forward of Thompson signing with Dallas.
“… I consider the Warriors are in all probability providing him yearly a low $20 million-type of contract. Is he prepared to stroll away from that as a result of he feels disrespected? It seems to be like he’s.”
We could by no means know whether or not Thompson was in denial over his declining skills or just believed he deserved a larger payday primarily based on previous accomplishments. Both approach, the top outcome was the identical: a pissed-off Klay Thompson who was ready to pack his baggage, which is strictly what he did.
Along with the monetary aspect, the Warriors had been planning to convey Thompson off the bench if he returned subsequent season, in response to Yahoo Sports activities’ Jake Fischer.
At this level, it’s clear that Thompson would have seen this as an extra slap within the face.
However there was one other issue at play right here too. Based on San Francisco-based reporter Jason Dumas of KRON4 Information, Thompson could possibly be simply as draining behind the scenes as Draymond Inexperienced,
“The final three years I do know Draymond has punched folks and obtained himself suspended on the court docket… however Klay has been equally exhausting behind the scenes. It’s not as loud,” Jason Dumas stated on 95.7 The Sport.
“… It’s not as loud as a result of it’s not you stomping on somebody’s chest. If he’s slamming stuff on the bench and sulking, and doing that on the court docket, how do you suppose it’s in apply? How do you suppose it’s within the locker room? It has been uncomfortable — it has. It simply doesn’t come out as loudly as Draymond Inexperienced.”
In the long run, Thompson landed in a beneficial place with the Mavericks, a group contemporary off a visit to the Finals. The Warriors, however, are in a harder place.
The one property they obtained in trade for Thompson had been two second-round picks, they usually gave up Chris Paul for nothing too. Golden State reportedly pursued Paul George however missed out when the Clippers declined their varied commerce presents, they usually have since turned their consideration to chasing Lauri Markkanen, in response to a number of experiences.
If the Warriors come up brief of their Markkanen negotiations too, subsequent season could possibly be a really lengthy one certainly.
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