Golden State, California – The Golden State Warriors faced a significant loss in NBA free agency when they lost Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks in a multi-team sign-and-trade deal that also involved the Charlotte Hornets. In return for Thompson, the Warriors will receive two future second-round draft picks, as confirmed by a league source. The Warriors explicitly requested no additional salary in exchange for Thompson, allowing them to create a trade exception nearing $16 million for future transactions, as reported by NBA insider Marc Stein.
The detailed breakdown of the transaction includes the Warriors acquiring two second-round draft picks – Dallas’ 2031 pick and the least favorable of either the Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers’ 2025 pick – along with a trade exception. Dallas will acquire Klay Thompson, while Charlotte will receive Josh Green as part of the deal. Thompson is set to join Dallas on a three-year, $50 million contract with a player option, pending finalization of the agreement between the Warriors and Mavericks.
In addition to Thompson’s departure, Charlotte sent two second-round picks to Dallas as part of the deal, with one of those picks ultimately being redirected to the Warriors. While the emotional impact of losing Thompson is undoubtedly significant for the Warriors, the financial benefits of the trade are expected to be advantageous for the team. The move signifies a significant change in the Warriors’ roster makeup and strategy moving forward, with a focus on future transactions and player acquisitions in mind.
Despite the loss of Thompson, the Warriors will now have additional draft assets and salary cap flexibility to potentially make further moves in the future. The trade signifies a shift in the team’s direction and offers a glimpse into their long-term plans as they navigate the competitive landscape of the NBA. As the Warriors adapt to the changes brought about by Thompson’s departure, fans and analysts alike will closely monitor how the team utilizes the assets acquired in the trade to strengthen their roster and contend for championships in the seasons to come.
