The Golden State Warriors are not letting Klay Thompson walk away without gaining some assets in return. Thompson has agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks through free agency. To make the most of the situation, the Warriors arranged a sign-and-trade deal, ensuring they received some value for their departing star.
Details of the trade have emerged, revealing that the deal expanded to involve a third team, the Charlotte Hornets. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Mavericks are sending two second-round picks to the Warriors to finalize the deal. Specifically, the Warriors will receive Dallas’ second-round pick for the 2031 NBA Draft and the less favorable second-round pick between the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers in 2025.
In this transaction, the Mavericks will solely acquire Klay Thompson, without any additional assets. To complete this complex deal, the Warriors and Mavericks required the involvement of a third team. The Charlotte Hornets stepped in, acquiring 23-year-old shooting guard Josh Green. Green, who averaged 8.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in his fourth season with the Mavericks, represents a valuable addition for the Hornets. His potential makes him a promising component of Charlotte’s young lineup.
This trade underscores the strategic maneuvers teams make to maximize their assets and maintain competitive balance in the NBA. The Warriors, while losing a key player, manage to secure future draft prospects. The Mavericks, on the other hand, bolster their roster with a seasoned sharpshooter in Thompson. Meanwhile, the Hornets add a young talent with considerable upside to their roster. This multi-team trade highlights the intricate and dynamic nature of NBA transactions and the lengths teams will go to optimize their rosters for future success.
