Klay Thompson joins Mavericks on $50 million contract in NBA free agency

Klay Thompson has his new team after splitting from the Warriors.

The five-time NBA All-Star reached a three-year, $50 million contract agreement with the Mavericks, according to ESPN.

He’ll team up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as they attempt to make it back to the NBA Finals after a disappointing loss to the Celtics.

An overflow of emotional baggage weighed on the situation: The Bay Area had been everything Thompson knew through his 11 years in the league.

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Thompson opted for the three-year deal with the Mavs over other four-year offers due to the chance to add another title to his resume and the “difference in state taxes.”

The transaction will require a sign-and-trade to be completed, according to reports.

Follow all the latest updates on NBA free agency, including signings, trades and rumors.

Through his time as a Warrior, Thompson reigned over the league with his “Splash Brother,” Stephen Curry.

Thompson holds multiple shooting records, and has averaged an impressive 41.3 percent from behind the arc while doing so – multiple pundits and fans believe he is one of the best shooters of all time.

Notably, Thompson holds the most records in a quarter with a ridiculous 37 points, and the most threes in a single game with 14.

Draymond Green completed the Golden State trifecta, which was one of the most successful in the game’s history.

Together, they captured four NBA championships in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

Klay Thompson shoots over three Sacramento Kings players Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Additionally, during the 2015-106 season, they set the best regular-season record, 73-9, which ended the former Chicago Bulls record of 72-10.

Amid their dominance, in 2020, Green was not afraid to let the world know how he felt on the “All the Smoke” podcast.

“I think I changed the game of basketball with the help of Steph Curry. I think Steph Curry changed the game of basketball with the help of me. I think it was a match made in heaven. And then Klay Thompson … us three changed the game forever,” Green said.

The dynasty slowly started to crumble following the 2021-22 season, finishing sixth in the 2022-23 season – and an even worse 10th following the 2023-24 season.

Although Thompson was a marquee player for the Warriors, he was never a leader: He was always behind Curry and former teammate Kevin Durant in that regard.

This new opportunity with Dallas will allow the 34-year-old veteran to be a true leader.