STATELINE, Nev. – During the Warriors’ heyday, frequent critic Charles Barkley Now it is covered with soil Show at the same time Klay Thompson’s departure It was the best outcome for both parties.
Shortly after arriving at Edgewood Tahoe on Thursday morning, American Century Celebrity ChampionshipBerkeley for a few minutes Thompson’s departure discussed NBC Sports Bay Area has your coverage of what’s happening with the Warriors.
“They were trying to make a business decision,” Barkley said of the Warriors’ divorce from Thompson. “They weren’t going to pay him past his prime. So he got a good contract in Dallas. Hopefully it works out. He’s a good guy and a future Hall of Famer. But they were going to move on.”
“As players get older, they don’t need to be paid as much as they used to.”
Thompson, 34, has struggled to accept that he is no longer an elite player. After serious injury He then suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in June 2019 and a torn Achilles tendon in his right leg in November 2020. After missing two seasons and half of another, he was a big contributor but no longer an All-Star.
In the weeks before free agency began on June 30, it became clear the Warriors were prepared to move forward without Thompson, a five-time All-Star who had been a mainstay guard since Golden State selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
The Warriors had made it clear they wanted to keep Thompson but left the door open to other offers, and he opted to leave the Bay Area and sign a three-year, $50 million contract. Joins the Western Conference champion Mavericks.
“They’re going to miss Klay, but they haven’t played in years,” Barkley said. “They Play-In; They are play offThey had a great run, but it’s over. Now they just have to start rebuilding for the future.”
Golden State responded to the loss of Thompson by acquiring two veterans who are expected to fill the void. Guard Buddy Hield They further strengthened their team by acquiring De’Anthony Melton and negotiating a sign-and-trade deal to acquire forward Kyle Anderson.
They’ll join veterans Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both with impressive resumes, to create a deep, experienced roster, but Barkley said the 36-year-old Curry and the 34-year-old Green are older and there’s not much difference between them.
“They still have the basketball talent,” Barkley said, “but as far as being at the highest level, those days are over.”
Curry and Green say they aren’t open to that, and the Warriors aren’t ready to give up on trading the two veterans for an All-Star who could help anchor a team that’s a true championship contender.
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