Oakland, California – The Golden State Warriors faced a significant loss in NBA free agency as they bid farewell to Klay Thompson, who is set to join the Dallas Mavericks. The trade also involves the Charlotte Hornets, resulting in a multi-team transaction that has now been revealed.
In exchange for Thompson’s departure, the Warriors will receive two future second-round draft picks, as confirmed by a league source. Notably, the Warriors opted not to take on any additional salary in return for Thompson, which will also create a trade exception worth nearly $16 million for future transactions, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
The details of the trade include the Warriors acquiring two second-round draft picks – Dallas’ 2031 selection and the least favorable between the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers’ 2025 picks – as well as the trade exception. Dallas, on the other hand, gains Thompson, while Charlotte receives Josh Green.
Thompson is expected to sign a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks, with a player option included. The finalization of the deal was still in progress at the time of the initial reports by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Charlotte also played a part in the transaction by sending two second-round picks to Dallas for Green, with one of those picks eventually finding its way to Golden State. The Warriors may have suffered a blow with Thompson’s departure, but the financial savings could prove beneficial in the long run.
The loss of Thompson may have emotional repercussions for the Warriors, but the financial implications could open up opportunities for adjustments within the team. The evolving dynamics of the NBA free agency landscape continue to shape the competitiveness of teams like the Warriors as they navigate the changes in their roster.
As the Warriors move forward from this trade, the impact of Thompson’s absence will be felt on the court, but the strategic decisions made during free agency could pave the way for new opportunities and growth within the team. The resilience of the franchise will be tested as they seek to fill the void left by Thompson’s departure and adapt to the challenges of the upcoming season.