Warriors Eye $50 Million Mavericks Star to Reunite with Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors are reportedly eyeing a reunion with Stephen Curry by adding Klay Thompson to their roster, but the deal hinges on Dallas' buyout decision and the outcome of the LeBron James sweepstakes.

What happened?

The Golden State Warriors are circling Klay Thompson, who is playing out the final season of his three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson's expiring contract makes him a manageable trade chip, but teams remain wary of taking on a 36-year-old whose production has dipped to 11.7 points per game on 38.3 percent three-point shooting last season.

Why it matters for Stephen Curry

A reunion with Thompson would give Stephen Curry a familiar co-star and instant floor spacing, but only solves part of a roster that has otherwise had a quiet offseason. If James also signs, the Warriors could field a lineup built on institutional memory rather than fresh additions, a gamble that hinges entirely on decisions still pending in Dallas and free agency.

What comes next?

The next checkpoint is Dallas's buyout market decision, expected before training camp opens. Thompson's next move now depends on whether the Mavericks decide to buy him out or trade him to another team. The Golden State Warriors are not the only team interested in Thompson, with the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit, and Orlando also reportedly in the mix.

The Miami Heat are reportedly interested in Thompson contingent on a buyout, since Tim Hardaway Jr. is currently their only reliable outside shooter. The Los Angeles Lakers carry a family tie through Thompson's father, Mychal, a longtime figure in that organization. Detroit and Orlando have also been floated as fits, given both teams lack shooting depth.

Analysts are divided on whether a reunion with Thompson would be enough to fix Golden State's roster problems. Jake Fischer reports that Thompson and the Warriors would both welcome a reunion, particularly if Golden State wins the LeBron James sweepstakes and needs shooting around him. "He's had interest in playing with LeBron in the past. I do think that there would be excitement from both sides, of Golden State and Klay, to really go out on a high note," Fischer said on his podcast.

However, not everyone is convinced a move alone fixes Golden State's roster problems given how the offseason has gone so far. Analyst Charles North argues that a Thompson return alongside James would recreate a lineup capable of rivaling any trio in league history when paired with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. “Thompson returning to the Golden State Warriors would be absolutely amazing, especially if LeBron James went there as well. The starting five would be filled with legendary players whom fans would rush to their TV screens to watch each night. The fit is obviously great, with the chemistry between him, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green rivaling any other trio to ever play,” Charles North shared.

Contract details and salary cap implications

Thompson is playing out the final season of the three-year, $50 million deal he signed with Dallas in 2024, carrying a base salary near $17.46 million for 2026-27. That expiring number makes him a manageable trade chip, though teams remain wary of taking on a 36-year-old whose production has dipped to 11.7 points per game on 38.3 percent three-point shooting last season.

How the trade could impact both teams

For Dallas, moving on from Thompson closes the book on a pairing that never got going after Luka Doncic's trade reshaped the roster around him. For Golden State, adding Thompson gives Stephen Curry a familiar co-star and instant floor spacing, but only solves part of a roster that has otherwise had a quiet offseason.

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