:According to sources at ESPN, Klay Thompson, the free agent guard, has signed a three-year contract worth $50 million with the Dallas Mavericks. This move concludes his remarkable 13-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors, who have won four championships. Thompson’s decision was influenced significantly by the opportunity to pursue a fifth title alongside the Western Conference champions, the Mavericks.”
“His agent, Greg Lawrence of Wasserman, orchestrated the deal, which involves a complex sign-and-trade arrangement across multiple teams. As per ESPN sources, this transaction will see Mavericks’ guard/forward Josh Green being traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for two future second-round draft picks.”
Lawrence and Thompson met with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and VP Michael Finley at the Bottle Inn in Hermosa Beach, California, to dig into the details of a Thompson-Mavericks partnership.
The Lakers were extremely intriguing to Thompson, but the financial savings from living in Texas over California and the fact that the Mavericks came within three victories of an NBA championship were big factors in his decision, sources said.
In the final year of Thompson’s remarkable 13-year Warriors career, his relationship with the franchise became increasingly strained over contract discussions and his looming free agency. His departure became more and more likely as the season progressed.
His unhappiness grew as his role with the team fluctuated throughout the season — punctuated by him being pulled from the closing lineup in early February and moving to a bench role later that month.
Thompson, 34, averaged 17.9 points last season, his lowest since 2012-13.
His Warriors tenure ends with his place in franchise and NBA history cemented. The trio of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green accounted for 518 wins in the regular season and playoffs, sixth most by a trio all time. Their 98 playoff wins together rank third in NBA history and their four titles are tied with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker for the most by an All-NBA trio over the past 50 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
The majority ownership group of the Boston Celtics, led by Wyc Grousbeck, is reportedly considering putting the franchise up for sale. Grousbeck and his partner Steve Pagliuca originally purchased the team in 2002 for $360 million. In recent years, NBA franchise valuations have soared, exemplified by the Phoenix Suns selling for $4 billion to Mat Ishbia in February 2023, followed by the Milwaukee Bucks fetching $3.5 billion from Jimmy and Dee Haslam shortly after, and the Dallas Mavericks being acquired for the same amount by the Adelson and Dumont families in December.
The Boston Celtics, renowned as one of the most iconic franchises in professional sports, boast a record 18 NBA championships, trailing only the New York Yankees (27) and Montreal Canadiens (24) among all North American professional sports leagues.
In a statement released on Monday, the Celtics announced their intention to sell a “majority interest” in the team either this year or early next year. They also noted that Wyc Grousbeck is expected to continue as the team’s Governor until a second closing in 2028.
