Buzz around a Golden State Warriors’ reunion with Klay Thompson has picked up after a report on Friday indicated that there’s a chance he returns to the Bay Area eventually. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported it, suggesting that if Steph Curry calls for it, the move can materialize.
“Those around Thompson say they believe it could eventually happen because ‘there’s no one that carries more weight with Klay than Steph,’ one league source said. But Curry would have to push for it,” Slater wrote.
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The Warriors are 14-15. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson is averaging a career-low 10.8 points on 35.0% 3-point shooting. A reunion sooner rather than later would make much more sense, as both sides could use each other.
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Thompson has seemingly accepted his demotion to the bench this season. In a limited role, with an offense that suits his style, the former NBA champion can still be a difference-maker on a lot of nights. Even in Dallas’ traditional offensive scheme, Thompson has improved his performance over time.
Since November, he has averaged 11.4 points, purely as a floor spacer, knocking down triples at a 36.3% clip. 77.7% of his points have come from the 3-point line in that span. The Warriors lead the league in 3-pointers made (16.1), but largely due to Steph Curry, who is making 5.0 shots per game from beyond the arc.
Brandin Podziemski is the only other player shooting well over 35.0% (40.3%) from beyond the arc on a minimum of 3.0 attempts. A direct trade for Klay Thompson wouldn’t make much sense given Golden State’s other needs.
Nevertheless, the Warriors can look to scoop him up in part of a larger trade, which addresses their other roster concerns.
3-Team Mock Trade Reunites Klay Thompson and Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga Heads to Mavericks
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly eyeing athletic centers at the trade deadline to address their interior defense, rebounding and paint scoring. NBA insider Chris Haynes named Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford as one of the trade targets.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are looking to offload Bennedict Mathurin, who is a restricted free agent next summer. The Warriors can look to engage Indiana and Dallas on a deal to acquire not just Gafford, but Thompson, too.
Here’s the potential trade framework:
Warriors receive:
- Klay Thompson
- Daniel Gafford
Pacers receive:
- Buddy Hield
- Brandin Williams
Mavericks receive:
- Bennedict Mathurin
- Jonathan Kuminga
The Pacers reunite with Buddy Hield in this deal, who seemingly had the best stretch of his career in Indiana as Tyrese Haliburton’s backcourt partner. He’s making $9.2 million this season and his 2026-27 salary is partially guaranteed. The Pacers will have the flexibility to retain the veteran or let him walk in free agency.
Indiana also secures a stopgap addition at the point of attack in Brandin Williams, who is on a one-year minimum salary. They can retain him next year as a backup guard behind Haliburton. Indiana also nets two second-round picks in the deal — one for Mathurin from the Mavericks and another from the Warriors for taking on Hield’s contract.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, become significantly younger with the additions of Bennedict Mathurin and Jonathan Kuminga, both 23 years old. A return of high upside prospects for Daniel Gafford and Klay Thompson should be welcomed by the team.
Edited by Arhaan Raje
