NBA basketball is deeper than the game. It is a cultural influence as well. Teams leave an imprint on people that they remember long after the players on the team have retired. With that in mind, nobody will forget this iteration of the Golden State Warriors any time soon.
We’ll remember their backcourt especially fondly. The Splash Brothers. This is one of the best backcourts in the history of the NBA. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson’s combined floor spacing has made them a lethal duo for over a decade. Could their partnership be coming to an end soon?
Recently, it’s been reported that Thompson and the Warriors are having difficulty agreeing on a contract extension. The two sides may agree. For what it’s worth, they do have a lot of history.
If they can’t, could the Warriors send Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks?
NBA Trade Proposal — Dallas Mavericks Land Klay Thompson
Golden State Warriors Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., C Richaun Holmes, F/C Maxi Kleber
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G/F Klay Thompson
If Thompson does leave the Warriors, their fans shouldn’t mourn. Instead, they should celebrate what they had. After all, the Warriors have been a dynasty in recent years. Most NBA franchises can consider themselves lucky even to win a single championship.
For example, take the Dallas Mavericks. In 2011, this team won its first NBA title. Surely, they responded by hanging onto their entire roster, right? Wrong.
The Mavericks sent Tyson Chandler to the New York Knicks. He was the team’s defensive anchor throughout their entire title run. What’s the lesson here? The NBA is a business.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Sure, players and teams develop real relationships. Still, they can change when those relationships cease to be mutually beneficial. Could the Warriors go as far as to trade Thompson?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
Sure, they could. After all, the Warriors’ books are getting somewhat complicated. Curry is still on a massive deal, and the team just extended Draymond Green. Andrew Wiggins still makes significant money as well. Do they even have room for Thompson?
If they decide that they don’t, they could move him. The Warriors shouldn’t expect a massive haul for Thompson. He’s on an expiring contract and could be a one-year rental. Moreover, Thompson has shown some signs of decline in recent years. His next contract has the potential to age poorly.
With that in mind, this is a fair return. The Warriors should find use for Hardaway Jr. and Kleber in their rotation. They could use an additional big, and Hardaway Jr. replaces some of what Thompson does.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Meanwhile, none of their contracts are especially burdensome. Should the Mavericks drain their depth to bring Thompson on board?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
Some Mavericks fans may question our wisdom here. This team has enough talent in the backcourt. With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the roster, why do they need Thompson?
Welcome to the era of positionless basketball. The Mavericks can have Doncic guarding wings while running point. They could have Thompson start at the 3. Positional overlap is a non-concern in the modern league.
Complementary skill sets matter more. With that in mind, Thompson is the perfect complement to this roster. Sure, he’s got some wear and tear. Still, Thompson can be relied on as a knockdown shooter and a serviceable defender.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Meanwhile, the Mavericks should be able to afford his next contract if they’re clever about filling out the rest of their roster. If all goes well, they could leave their own cultural imprint before long.
