Words are not enough to describe how big of a deal it is for Klay Thompson to leave the Golden State Warriors and move forward with the Dallas Mavericks in the professional curve. It is just like a marriage between a player and a league team that lasted for 13 years. No doubt, it was not easy, but it was necessary as the 34-year-old shooting guard observed that he was not a priority anymore for the Dubs owner Joe Lacob like he used to be before his 2019 injury woes. Notably, Thompson’s left knee blew out during the 2019 NBA Finals playing alongside Stephen Curry, and it took him two years to get back on the court.

However, as Klay got back on the court in 2022, the equations had changed with his team. Instead of him, the Dubs prioritized his replacement, Jordan Poole, and swingman Andrew Wiggins. On top of that, they offered $140 million and $109 million four-year extensions to Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins, respectively, even when Thompson was asking for a new contract. Over the years, they had several reasons not to sign a deal with him, primarily to make other moves to strengthen the roster. However, issues such as soaring luxury tax bills and the need for Klay’s new role as a veteran prevented them from offering a multi-year deal.

However, even after going through so much over the past five years, Klay’s camp proposed a two-year deal for roughly $20m per season, as per ESPN sources. Yet Joe Lacob and his front office were not ready to move forward with the offer as they replied to Klay, “We just can’t do it yet.” The 34-year-old revealed it all during his interaction with ESPN. Heartbroken by the response from the Dubs, Thompson went for a $50 million three-year deal with the Mavs.

Still, there might be a query in fans’ minds: If Klay Thompson was in so much trouble, why did his teammate not help him with the deal, especially the franchise star Stephen Curry? Well, he also had a certain cause for it.

Klay Thompson had forbade Stephen Curry from interfering in contract negotiations!

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson used to be the Splash brothers of the NBA. The duo was marvelous together and won four championships for the Warriors. Still, it seems that one of them wanted to move forward in times of trouble on his own. Yeah, you read it right. Klay Thompson has been “miserable” for the past year, according to his close one, per ESPN sources. However, he did not want Stephen Curry to convince the front office of a better deal as he wanted a genuine offer, not some manipulated one.

“I was told that Klay requested of Steph, ‘Don’t exert your influence. Don’t demand that they do right by me financially. I want them to, want to [do that on their own]'” Warriors insider Anthony Slater revealed on the ‘The Morning Roast’ show. It implies how hurt Klay was from his self-respect perspective, as the team that he stayed with for so many years was not respecting him.

Anyways, it was not just pure wrong from Lacob’s side as well. He wanted to honor the new league rules for signing the agreements that were implemented post-Thompson’s injury. Apparently, it was something that was destined to happen at some point. It’s more of a “business,” as Draymond Green expressed on his show recently. What do you all think about Klay Thompson’s departure? Was it right of him to go for Mavs? Let us know in the comments.

But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe.