Just three years ago, when Klay Thompson made a comeback from his long injury spell, coach Steve Kerr said, “I will ride with Klay forever”. However, that “forever” didn’t last long as the Golden State Warriors decided to accept a 3-year, $50 million sign-and-trade deal with the Dallas Mavericks. After Thompson’s 13-year stint with the Warriors ended abruptly, Kendrick Perkins, who faced a similar situation with the Boston Celtics, condemned the Warriors franchise. The former NBA champion had predicted this trade a few weeks ago.

On the latest episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe, and Kendrick Perkins debated whether Klay Thompson was wronged by the Golden State Warriors. Perkins understood it as a business procedure but the handling of the entire scenario did not sit right with him. He also questioned the other star players of the dynasty for not standing up for Thompson. “And here’s my thing where’s Draymond and where’s Steph because when it comes down to Klay he felt disrespected all season long,” the former Celtics star said.

Perkins pointed out that many players before Thompson got the mega deals including the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Jordan Poole who got $100 plus million contracts before the 4x NBA champion.

The ESPN analyst suspected that the uncertain contract situation might have been one of the factors for one-half of the Splash Brothers not being able to hit his peak form last season. Also, the fact that Thompson took down pictures from social media and unfollowed GSW was an indication that the relationship between the player and the team was reaching its boiling point.

Even though the Warriors announced the retirement of the #11 jersey in the future, Perkins point-blank said “Absolutely Klay has been wrong by the Golden State Warriors”. According to the 39-year-old, the relationship could have remained positive if the Warriors had accepted a simple trade deal. Interestingly, Perkins also predicted that the Dallas Mavericks would be a suitable destination for Thompson.

Kendrick Perkins’ prediction on Klay Thompson and the Mavs’

After his former team beat the Dallas Mavericks to win the Championship, Perkins appeared on the Stephen A Smith show and spoke about the future of the Mavs. Explaining how they could find the missing piece to help Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Perkins said, “Tim Hardaway Jr., they can find a way to move his money. He’s making about 18 19 million ($16 mil) package him with somebody else and they go out and get Klay Thompson.”

Kendrick Perkins faced a similar feeling with the Boston Celtics. After being told he wouldn’t be traded, he was traded after the 2011 season. The 39-year-old recalled that he and Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett couldn’t stop their tears. Garnett was his idol and he had developed a special bond with the legend. The former Celtics star credited KG for creating an atmosphere where the team thrived. So with personal experience, Perkins understood what Thompson felt.

Thompson’s fans would hope that the change of scenery and teammates in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will be enough to bring his spirits up. After being part of one dynasty, can Thomspon help cement the Dallas Mavericks in creating another? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.