It has finally happened! Following months of rumors and speculations regarding Klay Thompson’s future in the Bay Area, he has left the Warriors in a multi-team sign and trade to start the new chapter of his career with the Dallas Mavericks. Getting his desired three-year deal clubbed with a $50 million salary from the Mavs, Klay will finally end his thirteen-year run in Golden State. Meanwhile, GSW also got a few assets in exchange after parting with their legend.

Well, as part of the multi-team deal, the Warriors have received two future second-round picks from the Mavs, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski. One is a 2025 least favorable pick between the Sixers and Nuggets, and the second is a 2031 pick. With the Warriors looking to enter rebuild mode after letting go of Klay and CP3 in a span of days, they could use these draft picks to add younger talent at crucial checkpoints in the future. However, there’s another component to this latest deal.

Moreover, the deal also included the Mavs sending guard Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets. Just last year, Green signed a 3-year $41 million deal with Luka Doncic and Co. Although he had a decent regular season averaging a little over 8 points along with 3.2 boards and over two assists, Green’s contributions in the playoffs weren’t great, as the Mavs gave its all in their Championship push.

His averages dropped to 5 points and 2.5 rebounds and it certainly did not help Luka, who was playing with an injury and a hot-and-cold Kyrie Irving. So, Green might not have fit the Mavs win-now strategy, however, he could be a huge asset for a young Hornets squad. He is only 23 years old with incredible upside and fits into Charlotte’s long-term run. As part of the bargain, the Hornets had to give up 2 second-round picks to add Green, one of which was later redirected to the Warriors.

GSW’s newest signing’s one skill could help soften the Klay Thompson blow

With one of their greatest players departing, every Warrior will need some time to get used to the fact that Klay no longer exists in their locker room. But the show must go on and they have already started collecting assets to make a run for the title again next season. Stephen Curry undoubtedly stays as their leader. While the Klay trade brought them two future second-rounders, the Warriors also added 26-year-old shooting guard De’Anthony Melton on a 1-year $12.8 million deal.

He isn’t as elite of a shooter as Klay was in his prime but can surely be a capable replacement for the 4-time champ in rotation. He averaged 11.1 points along with nearly 4 boards and 3 assists last season, all while shooting 36% from deep.

However, this one skill of his that could help GSW the most is his lockdown defense. Averaging 1.4 steals for his career, Melton could become the kind of defender Klay once was, before suffering career-altering injuries in 2019. And being only 26, the Warriors will take this season to assess how he performs and maybe bag him for the foreseeable future. While the wound of Klay leaving is still fresh, the addition of Melton does provide some relief.

What do you think will be the Warriors’ next move in the trade market? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, do not forget to check out what Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato has to say about the alleged Shaq and Kobe Lakers beef. Keep checking this space for more such updates.