What Happened to Klay Thompson?
Klay Thompson, a four-time NBA champion and one-half of the 'Splash Brothers,' departed the Golden State Warriors in 2024 to join the Dallas Mavericks. After two challenging seasons with the Mavericks, marked by a significant decline in performance and the team's shift towards rebuilding, Thompson's future in Dallas is uncertain as of May 2026, with rumors of a potential return to the Warriors circulating.
Quick Answer
Klay Thompson is currently a shooting guard for the Dallas Mavericks, having signed a three-year, $50 million contract in July 2024 after leaving the Golden State Warriors. The 2025-26 season saw him record career-lows in points, rebounds, and assists, primarily coming off the bench. As of May 2026, his future with the Mavericks is in question due to the team's rebuilding efforts, and there are ongoing discussions and rumors about a possible reunion with the Golden State Warriors, particularly after a key injury to Warriors player Moses Moody.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Drafted by Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson was selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Wins First NBA Championship
Thompson helps lead the Golden State Warriors to their first NBA championship since 1975, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Suffers Torn ACL in NBA Finals
During Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, Thompson tears his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), leading to him missing the entire 2019-20 season.
Ruptures Achilles Tendon
While recovering from his ACL injury, Thompson suffers a ruptured right Achilles tendon during a workout, forcing him to miss the entire 2020-21 season.
Returns to Play After 941 Days
After missing 941 days due to his ACL and Achilles injuries, Thompson makes his highly anticipated return to the court for the Warriors.
Wins Fourth NBA Championship
Thompson and the Warriors defeat the Boston Celtics to win his fourth NBA championship.
Warriors Offer Reported $48M Contract
Reports emerge that the Golden State Warriors offered Thompson a two-year, $48 million contract before the 2023-24 season, which he did not accept.
Signs with Dallas Mavericks
Thompson leaves the Golden State Warriors and signs a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, citing feelings of being 'deprioritized' by the Warriors.
Rumors of Warriors Reunion Emerge
Reports from ESPN indicate that Thompson's inner circle believes a reunion with the Golden State Warriors is possible in his final seasons, with Stephen Curry reportedly open to the idea.
Moses Moody Injury Fuels Warriors Reunion Talk
Warriors player Moses Moody suffers a season-ending ruptured patellar tendon, leading to increased speculation that Thompson could be a target for Golden State to fill the void.
Concludes Career-Worst Season with Mavericks
Thompson finishes the 2025-26 NBA season with career-low averages of 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 69 games for the Dallas Mavericks.
Expresses Uncertainty About Mavericks Future
Thompson laughs off a question about his future with the Mavericks, stating he's under contract but has learned 'things can change on a dime' in Dallas.
Public Breakup with Megan Thee Stallion
Klay Thompson faces social media backlash following a public breakup with rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who accused him of cheating. Thompson responds to a critic with 'Please go touch grass.'
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Klay Thompson, renowned as one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history and a pivotal member of the Golden State Warriors' dynasty, has experienced a significant career shift in recent years. After winning four NBA championships with the Warriors, his tenure was dramatically impacted by severe injuries. In Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, sidelining him for the entire 2019-20 season. Just as he was nearing a return, he ruptured his Achilles tendon in November 2020, forcing him to miss the entire 2020-21 season as well.
He made his highly anticipated comeback in the middle of the 2021-22 season, helping the Warriors secure their fourth NBA championship in 2022. However, contract negotiations with the Warriors became contentious, with reports indicating Golden State offered him a two-year, $48 million deal before the 2023-24 season. Feeling 'deprioritized' and 'pushed out,' Thompson ultimately left the Warriors in July 2024, signing a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
His time with the Mavericks has been challenging. Thompson joined a team that he believed was set to contend, but the Mavericks subsequently traded star players Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, shifting into a rebuilding phase around rookie Cooper Flagg. The 2025-26 season proved to be a career-worst for Thompson, who, at 36 years old, averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.7 minutes per game across 69 appearances, primarily coming off the bench. His shooting percentages also declined to 39.3% from the field and 38.3% from three.
As of May 2026, Thompson is entering the final year of his contract with the Mavericks, set to earn $17.4 million in the 2026-27 season. His fit with the Mavericks' new timeline is questionable, and he has publicly expressed regret over how things have unfolded in Dallas. Concurrently, rumors have intensified regarding a potential reunion with the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors, facing a season-ending injury to Moses Moody in March 2026, are reportedly considering Thompson as a natural replacement for the wing position. Stephen Curry has voiced openness to a reunion, and those close to Thompson believe it's a possibility, although financial complexities remain a factor for Golden State.
In his personal life, Thompson also faced public scrutiny in late April 2026 following a highly publicized breakup with rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who accused him of cheating. Thompson has largely remained silent on the accusations, focusing on his basketball career.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Klay Thompson made different choices?