Klay Thompson to Mavericks: Stephen Curry, Dwight Howard, NBA players react to Warriors star trade

Sarah Effress

Klay Thompson to Mavericks: Stephen Curry, Dwight Howard, NBA players react to Warriors star trade image

Klay Thompson is finally hanging up his Warriors gear.

The five-time All-Star is headed to the Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal as part of a multi-team sign-and-trade that will also send Josh Green to Charlotte.

Thompson had been with the Warriors since they selected him 11th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. After there had been no reports of discussion between Golden State and Thompson or his representatives after the conclusion of the 2024 NBA Finals, it became evident that his time with the Warriors was coming to a close. 

With the deal sealed and Thompson packed up and ready for Dallas, faces from around the league are throwing in their two cents to the blockbuster trade.

Curry's reaction was the most heartfelt of them all, saying farewell to his Splash Brother.

"Gonna miss you @klaythompson. Even though we won't finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. Couldn't have imagined a better run with you and @money23green. Changed the whole Bay Area. Changed the way the game is played. Killa Klay at the center of it all. Thank you for everything bro. Go enjoy playing basketball and doing what you do," Curry wrote.

"Splash Bros 4 life my guy."

Check out Curry's message to Thompson and other NBA player reactions around the league below.

MORE: Why did Klay Thompson leave Warriors for Mavericks?

Stephen Curry, NBA players react to Klay Thompson leaving Warriors

Klay Thompson stats

2023-24 season

  • 17.9 points per game
  • 3.3 rebounds per game
  • 2.3 assists per game
  • 43.2 percent field goal shooting
  • 38.7 percent 3-point shooting
  • 92.7 percent free throw shooting

Mavericks depth chart with Klay Thompson

With Josh Green headed to Charlotte as part of the trade, Thompson slides in comfortably to the small forward position. He completes a valuable trio with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, adding more talent to a pair that spearheaded a Finals run to round out the 2023-24 season. 

PositionStarter2nd3rd
PGLuka DoncicDante Exum 
SGKyrie IrvingJaden HardyQuentin Grimes
SFKlay ThompsonNaji Marshall 
PFP.J. WashingtonMaxi KleberOlivier-Maxence Prosper
CDaniel GaffordDereck Lively IIDwight Powell

Sarah Effress

Sarah Effress Photo

Sarah Effress is an editorial intern for The Sporting News. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, and loves to talk soccer and women's college sports.