As it seems like Klay Thompson’s tenure in Golden State is over, the Dubs are looking to recoup something in his departure.
The Golden State Warriors appear to be getting ready to say goodbye to franchise icon Klay Thompson. Reports emerged earlier in the weekend that the Splash Brother and the Dubs front office are proceeding as if he has played his last game in a Warriors uniform. Rather than continuing to push to re-sign the sharpshooter, Golden State’s front office has shifted to angling for a sign-and-trade, according to a report by Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks are expected to be the strongest suitors for Thompson. Although the Mavericks have seemed most tied to the shooting guard over the past 24 hours. None of those teams can offer Thompson more than the mid-level exception, which peaks at a $12.9 million salary. By agreeing to a sign-and-trade, the Warriors would be able to help Thompson receive a larger contract and potentially recoup something in return.
Of course, the mechanics of that are a lot easier said than done. The teams eyeing Thompson view themselves as championship contenders, and would not want to give up a significant contributor. At the same time, they would have to approach matching Thompson’s salary for the move to take place.
Perhaps the Warriors could entice the Lakers to part with Austin Reaves by taking on Gabe Vincent’s albatross contract and adding some picks, but even that seems like a hard sell. Without any obvious player to target, the Clippers only really seem viable if the Warriors are willing to hard cap themselves at the first apron and got back in the Paul George hunt. Mavericks wing Josh Green is probably the most obvious fit. A solid two-way player who is a good athlete and has been an efficient three-point shooter with some defensive upside, Green seems like an obvious potential role player on a playoff team. Still, it feels like a mild return for someone who has meant as much to the Warriors as Thompson.