After months of speculation, Klay Thompson has finally left the Golden State Warriors to join Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to play for the Dallas Mavericks. However, the Dubs had a plan if things went differently and the Splash Brother chose to remain in the Bay.
The Warriors have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal that sent Klay Thompson to Dallas. In return, Golden State received two second-round draft picks – the Mavericks’ 2031 pick and the lesser of the 2025 picks held by the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers.
This represents a relatively small return for the Warriors, who are parting ways with Thompson after 13 seasons and four NBA championships. GSW likely did not have much leverage in the negotiations, as the All-Star guard was determined to join the defending Western Conference champions.
The 2031 pick the Warriors acquired could be for a player who is currently in sixth grade, highlighting the long-term nature of this return. The conditional 2025 pick also carries uncertainty, as it may end up being one of the final selections in the second round if the Nuggets and Sixers have strong seasons.
While the Warriors did not receive a substantial haul for Thompson, the sign-and-trade at least ensures they do not lose him for nothing. It represents a pragmatic move to facilitate Thompson’s desired destination while obtaining a couple of future draft assets, even if they are not high-value picks.
Golden State Warriors Plan If Klay Thompson Returned, Revealed
In the event Thompson chose to stay a Warrior, Golden State already had a plan in place for the All-Star guard. In an article by Jake Fischer for Yahoo Sports, the plan would have been to use him from the bench in place of a rising star within the Dubs’ ranks.
“Flashing forward, if Thompson had returned to Golden State, the Warriors planned to bring Thompson off the bench behind sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski, sources said after Golden State started its prized rookie for a good stretch during the second half of last season,” Fischer wrote.
Over his first year in the NBA, Podziemski averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. More importantly, he connected 38 percent of his shots from downtown and was active on the defensive end. As compared to Thompson, the rookie was seen as the more consistent option on the court.
With Thompson now playing for Dallas, Podziemski now has the chance to solidify his role for the Dubs. Nevertheless, a lot of eyes will be on both players to see who won the deal.
