Klay Thompson pulled the trigger and left the Dub Nation in utter chaos. Even though the fans saw this coming from a mile away, the moment Klay departed, it broke a lot of hearts. Including Stephen Curry, who put out an emotional message. All of this began when Klay declined the $48 million 2-year extension from the front office in January. Slowly, people started pointing fingers towards Joe Lacob for letting the 4x Champion leave the team. People questioned the “strained relationship” they developed over the past few months. But Stephen A. Smith feels it wasn’t Lacob’s fault. He quickly jumped in to defend the 68-year-old Golden State Warriors owner and give the “angry” fans a new perspective.

Stephen A. began by talking about Klay’s injury from the 2019 NBA finals against the Toronto Raptors. This was when things really started to twist around for Thompson since he tore his ACL back then. For the entire next season, he was out. The Golden State knew that Klay would be out for at least a year, yet they gave him a contract worth $190 million over 5 years. Things started to get worse as he tore his Achilles muscle in a pickup game later. Yet again, Klay was out till the 2021 season, nevertheless still getting paid over $30 million each year.

Speaking of Klay’s recently matured $190 million worth 5-year contract. At first, Smith pointed out, “He got paid damn near $68 million for not playing a game. So, in the world of business, ladies and gentlemen, we can’t sit up there and look at a guy who was paid for not playing. They paid you all of these years. There’s been slippage in your game to some degree.“

Adding on to it, Smith further said, “We can’t sit up there and look at Joe Lacob and the Golden State Warriors and act like they shafted Klay Thompson… They didn’t.” He points out that even Klay Thompson probably doesn’t believe that. Moreover, he urged the fans not to consider Thompson’s exit as “that big of a news”.

Stephen A. Smith draws up a new chapter for Klay Thompson

After defending Joe Lacob, A. Smith dove right into the reason behind Klay Thompson‘s decision. This time, the veteran analyst put it on the Dubs youth movement. Smith added, “I think he wants a fresh start… sees Kuminga and Podziemski. He knows that’s the direction Steve Kerr wants to go in. He also knows that his playing time is going to be compromised, and he doesn’t want that problem. He knows that Dallas needs shooters.” Klay did have a problem with Podz as Kerr replaced him with the rookie in the starting lineup.

Moreover, Smith also added that Klay’s move to Texas was “an obvious choice” for Dallas since he “opens things up for Kyrie, he opens things up for Luka, plus he opens things up for Gafford and Lively” in terms of his shooting abilities for the Mavs’ offensive corner.

Notably, the veteran analyst was the first to write off the same idea when Kendrick Perkins suggested the trade. He argued that Luka Doncic would have the ball in his hands most of the time and Thompson wouldn’t like it.

Nevertheless, Thompson has pushed a dagger in the Dub Nation’s heart and only a better roster around Steph could heal them. What do you make of the Warriors’ off-season trades? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, do not forget to check out Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, to open up about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud. Keep checking this space for more such updates.