The breakup of the Splash Brothers sent shockwaves through the NBA, leaving fans heartbroken. In Klay Thompson’s final season with the Golden State Warriors, the team fell short of giving him the farewell he deserved, missing the playoffs. This marked only the third time in 12 years they failed to secure a postseason spot, a blow not only to the team’s pride but also to its profitability. Instead of shouldering the blame, the Warriors shifted the focus to Thompson, whose performance had declined despite his sizable $43.2 million salary, making him a convenient scapegoat.

Even former NBA champion Stephen Jackson weighed in on the situation during an appearance on the Breakfast Club. He remarked, “Y’all ain’t won the last couple years, so a lot of times they’re going to try to find somebody to blame it on, and it fell on Klay.” Jackson went on to highlight the harsh reality of professional sports, saying, “He’s the reason why they have all those championships over there, but this is how professional sports goes.” His words underscored how even a key player like Thompson, instrumental in the Warriors’ success, can become a scapegoat in tough times.

Golden State Warriors is the NBA’s most valuable organization at $7.7 billion. They are highly reliant on postseason success to generate revenues because the team earns more than $4 million in ticket sales every regular season game, which increases significantly during the playoffs. During their 2022 Finals run, they generated more than $100 million in playoff revenue. However, as they did not qualify for the playoffs it resulted in a major income loss.

The financial burden comes at a particularly difficult moment, as the Warriors face massive bills. With the NBA’s largest payroll ever at $208.2 million, they face a whopping $176 million luxury tax payment due in June. While they may be able to avoid the tax burden in 2024-25 by offseason modifications, the pressure is growing. This caused a lot of blaming and most of it fell on the shoulders of Klay Thompson.

His inconsistent performances and non-extension of contract sparked rumors that the Warriors may consider moving on from him to reduce their financial load. So, after being part of numerous trade rumors, the 4x NBA Champ finally decided to move on from the Warriors and joined Dallas.

Klay Thompson’s shocking move to the Dallas Mavericks

Klay Thompson’s move to the Dallas Mavericks became one of the NBA’s most historic transactions, involving 20% of the league in an unprecedented sign-and-trade deal. The trade reshaped the landscape, as the Warriors, Mavericks, Hornets, Nuggets, Timberwolves, and 76ers all scrambled to navigate new salary cap restrictions. Thompson’s decision to sign a three-year, $50 million contract shocked fans, especially since many expected him to land in his hometown of Los Angeles.

As a result, fans are divided. While some believe it marks the end of an era, others argue the 5x All-Star’s performance has declined, particularly following a scoreless effort in his final game. Overall, Thompson’s arrival is expected to change things up, providing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with the elite floor space they seek. However, doubts persist about Klay, his shooting abilities and if he will he will be able to fit into the Mavs’ squad, and even replicate his Warriors’ success. As the dust settles on this historic transaction, all eyes turn to Dallas to see if their Thompson bet pays off.