Thompson's decision to join the Mavericks was mostly influenced by his desire to compete for a fifth championship, given the Mavericks' recent success as Western Conference champions.
Thompson's agent, Greg Lawrence from Wasserman, negotiated a complex deal involving multiple teams. As part of the agreement, Mavericks player Josh Green will move to the Charlotte Hornets, and the Warriors will receive two second-round draft picks.
According to a source, Dallas is also including their own second-round pick in 2031 and the less desirable of the 76ers or Nuggets' second-round pick in 2025 as part of the trade.
Lawrence and Thompson sat down with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and VP Michael Finley at the Bottle Inn in Hermosa Beach, California, to discuss the specifics of Thompson joining the Mavericks.
Thompson found the Lakers very appealing, but he ultimately chose the Mavericks due to the cost savings of living in Texas compared to California and because the Mavericks were close to winning an NBA championship, sources revealed.
During Thompson's last season with the Warriors after 13 years, his relationship with the team soured as contract talks and his upcoming free agency created tensions. His departure seemed increasingly probable as the season went on.
Thompson became increasingly unhappy as his role on the team changed throughout the season. This included being removed from the closing lineup in early February and transitioning to a bench role later that month.
Last season, Thompson, who is 34 years old, scored an average of 17.9 points per game, marking his lowest since the 2012-2013 season.
Thompson's time with the Warriors concludes with his legacy firmly established in both the franchise and NBA history. Alongside Curry and Draymond Green, they amassed 518 wins in regular season and playoff games, ranking sixth all-time for a trio. In the playoffs, their 98 victories together rank third in NBA history, and their four championships equal the record set by Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker for the most by an All-NBA trio in the last 50 seasons, as per ESPN Stats & Information research.
On Monday, the Warriors expressed their best wishes to Thompson and indicated their intention to retire his jersey number 11 in the future.
The statement emphasized the significant joy and happiness Klay brought to Warriors fans, Bay Area residents, and supporters worldwide, highlighting his ability to shine in crucial moments, especially in Game 6 situations, which have been defining moments in his career.
Klay's impact will be everlasting, and we eagerly anticipate retiring his number 11 jersey at Chase Center, where he will join other revered Warriors players who contributed to the recent dynasty, including Klay himself.
We appreciate Klay for his contributions and wish him well as he moves forward into the next chapter of his journey.
SOURCE: ESPN