Mavericks' path to sending Klay Thompson home is impossible to ignore

The trade discourse surrounding Klay Thompson hasn’t fully taken off yet… but it’s coming. At 36, he doesn’t align with the Dallas Mavericks’ timeline, and his skill set may be better suited elsewhere. That “elsewhere” could look familiar: the Golden State Warriors.

Why Klay Thompson could be a natural in Golden State… again

Meanwhile, the Warriors operate on the opposite timeline of the Mavericks. They’re one of the oldest teams in the NBA, built around veterans like Stephen Curry (38), Draymond Green (36), and Jimmy Butler, who will be 37 when he returns from a torn ACL.

More importantly, Golden State is set to lose one of its key wings next season. Moses Moody suffered a season-ending ruptured patellar tendon on March 23, ironically against the Mavericks. It's an injury that is likely to sideline him for the entire 2026–27 campaign.

Without Moody in tow, Golden State loses 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.5 3-pointers per game on 44.0 percent shooting from the field and 40.1 percent from deep. That’s a significant hit for a player who ranked in the top five on the Warriors in both scoring and 3-point production.

Enter Thompson. The longtime Golden State guard ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in games played, points, and 3-pointers, and offers a natural replacement for Moody on the wing. More than that, he remains under contract for another season, which is certainly an appealing option for a team still searching for direction.

Recent reports suggest Steve Kerr’s future with the Warriors is uncertain. Still, Kerr recently said he “doesn’t want to abandon those guys," which is a clear reference to Curry and Green, whom he’s coached for more than a decade.

As a result, Kerr is likely to remain with the Warriors for at least another season, especially with Butler, Curry, and Green all under contract through 2027, just like Klay Thompson. A “run-it-back” scenario feels all but certain, and a reunion in the Bay Area would only add to the perfect symmetry.

Warriors’ financial constraints complicate a Thompson trade

What muddies the waters, however, is the Warriors’ financial situation. Even with offseason flexibility, Golden State lacks easily movable contracts to facilitate a potential deal for Thompson. Moody’s contract would likely be part of any package, but additional salary would have to be included, potentially a veteran contract, depending on how the roster shakes out.

Nonetheless, acquiring a player of Thompson’s caliber is far more attainable than, say, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is slated to earn $58.5 million next season. Orchestrating a deal of that magnitude would require significant financial gymnastics. By comparison, Thompson’s $17.5 million salary is far more manageable.

While it might not be the easiest trade to make on paper, a Thompson–Warriors reunion feels increasingly plausible. Golden State needs a replacement for the injured Moody, and the Mavericks are far removed from the team Thompson originally signed with two years ago. A return to the Bay Area feels more realistic than ever.

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