The NBA rumor mill is buzzing with a surprising proposal: could Klay Thompson, the sharpshooting legend who left the Golden State Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, return to the Bay Area? On May 25, 2025, ClutchPoints’ Jedd Pagaduan floated a trade sending Thompson back to the Warriors in exchange for Moses Moody and Gui Santos, sparking heated debate among fans. Thompson’s 14 points per game and 39.1% three-point shooting in Dallas haven’t met expectations, while the Warriors grapple with retooling around Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. With Dallas reeling from injuries and a disastrous Luka Dončić trade, and Golden State eyeing another playoff run, is this reunion plausible, or just a pipe dream? As X users like @WarriorsFanatic ask, “Klay back in Golden State? No way, right?”—this article dives into the trade’s logic, Thompson’s fit, and whether this bold move could reignite a dynasty or flop spectacularly.
Klay Thompson’s Dallas Disappointment
When Klay Thompson signed with the Dallas Mavericks in a 2024 sign-and-trade, expectations were sky-high. Fresh off an NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, Dallas saw Thompson as the veteran shooter to complement Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. However, the 2024-25 season has been a nightmare for the Mavericks, with injuries decimating the roster and a shocking Dončić trade—reportedly to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and draft picks, per ESPN—leaving the team in disarray. Dallas sits at 29-53, out of playoff contention, per NBA.com.
Thompson, now 35, has been solid but unspectacular, averaging 14 points on 39.1% three-point shooting across 78 games. While his shooting remains elite, his defensive prowess, once All-Defensive caliber, has waned post-ACL and Achilles injuries (2019-2020). X posts like @MavsNation lament, “Klay’s not the game-changer we hoped for.” His $50 million, three-year contract (through 2027) is a financial burden for a rebuilding Dallas, making trade rumors plausible. Could a return to Golden State, where he won four championships, be the answer?
The Warriors’ Roster Dilemma
Golden State, meanwhile, is navigating the twilight of Stephen Curry’s career. At 37, Curry remains a superstar, averaging 27.8 points and 8.2 assists in 2024-25, but the Warriors’ 44-38 record and second-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves exposed roster flaws. The addition of Jimmy Butler via trade in 2024 bolstered their defense, but the supporting cast—Dennis Schröder, Andrew Wiggins, and a struggling Moses Moody—lacks consistency. The Warriors rank 12th in offensive rating (113.2), per NBA.com, and need shooting to complement Curry’s gravity.
Moses Moody, a 2021 lottery pick, has been a disappointment. Despite a career-high 9.8 points and 37.4% three-point shooting in the regular season, his playoff performance against Minnesota was dismal: 3.6 points on 22.2% shooting, falling out of the rotation. Gui Santos, a 2022 second-rounder, averaged 3.1 points in limited minutes, offering little trade value. X users like @DubNationHQ vent, “Moody’s not cutting it—time to move on.” A trade for Thompson could address Golden State’s shooting woes, but at what cost?
The Proposed Trade: Logic and Flaws
ClutchPoints’ Jedd Pagaduan argues that Thompson’s return to Golden State makes sense for a deep playoff run. “Klay should at least be better than the version of Moody that showed up in the 2025 playoffs,” Pagaduan writes, suggesting Thompson’s experience and shooting would thrive in a reduced role alongside Curry and Butler. With less pressure to be a secondary scorer, Thompson could focus on catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he shot 41.2% in 2023-24 with the Warriors, per Basketball Reference.
However, the trade—Thompson for Moody and Santos—lacks balance. Thompson’s $50 million contract dwarfs Moody’s $5.8 million and Santos’ $1.9 million deals, requiring salary fillers like Kevon Looney ($8 million) or additional assets. Dallas would gain young prospects but lose Thompson’s veteran presence, critical for their youth movement around Cooper Flagg, the projected 2025 No. 1 pick. Golden State, meanwhile, would sacrifice depth and future flexibility for a 35-year-old with declining defense. ESPN’s Zach Lowe calls it “a nostalgia-driven longshot,” noting Thompson’s reluctance to return after a contentious Warriors exit.
Thompson’s Warriors Legacy and Fit
Thompson’s 13-year tenure with Golden State (2011-2024) was iconic: four championships, five All-Star nods, and an NBA-record 14 three-pointers in a single game (2018). His “Splash Brother” partnership with Curry revolutionized basketball, with their 2022 title proving Thompson’s post-injury resilience. Fans on X, like @KlayFanClub, plead, “Bring Klay home—he belongs in the Bay.” His familiarity with Steve Kerr’s motion offense and chemistry with Curry make a reunion appealing.
Yet, Thompson’s role would differ. No longer a two-way star, he’d be a situational shooter, competing with Buddy Hield (acquired in 2024) for minutes. His 2.1 defensive win shares in 2024-25 (down from 5.2 in 2016-17) suggest he’d struggle against athletic wings like Anthony Edwards. The Warriors’ $175 million payroll and luxury tax constraints, per Spotrac, limit their ability to absorb Thompson’s contract without shedding Wiggins or Looney, weakening their frontcourt. As The Athletic notes, “Klay’s heart is Warrior, but his contract and game aren’t what they used to be.”
Dallas’ Perspective: Why Trade Klay?
For Dallas, trading Thompson could signal a full rebuild. The Dončić trade, driven by his reported frustration with injuries and management, left the Mavericks with Davis, Flagg, and young assets like Dereck Lively II. Thompson’s shooting mentors Flagg, but his $50 million deal clashes with Dallas’ youth-focused payroll. Moody, a 22-year-old with upside, and Santos, a developmental wing, offer long-term potential, but neither addresses Dallas’ immediate needs at point guard, where they’ve been urged to sign veterans like Markelle Fultz, per Sports Illustrated.
X posts like @MavsGameday argue, “Keep Klay—he’s our best shooter and leader.” Thompson’s playoff experience (33.1% from three in 2025) is valuable for a young core, and his departure could alienate fans after a turbulent season. The trade’s lack of draft picks further diminishes its appeal, as Dallas prioritizes future assets.
NBA Context and Trade Feasibility
The proposed trade reflects broader NBA trends: teams balancing win-now moves with youth development. Golden State’s pursuit of a fifth title with Curry mirrors the Lakers’ LeBron James era, while Dallas’ rebuild echoes the Spurs’ post-Duncan pivot. However, the trade’s financial mismatch and Thompson’s uncertain desire to return—reportedly “hurt” by Golden State’s lowball offer in 2024, per ESPN—make it unlikely. Kerr’s system thrives on shooting, but Hield’s 42.3% three-point shooting in 2024-25 already fills Thompson’s role at a lower cost ($9 million).
Alternative trade scenarios, like packaging Wiggins for a star like Zach LaVine, offer Golden State more upside. For Dallas, trading Thompson to a contender like the Knicks for expiring contracts and picks aligns better with their timeline. As Bleacher Report notes, “Thompson’s trade value is high but sentimental—teams want his shooting, not his salary.”
Emotional and Cultural Stakes
The trade’s allure lies in its emotional weight. Thompson’s Warriors legacy—Game 6 heroics in 2016, the 2022 title run—makes a reunion tantalizing. Golden State fans, filling Chase Center at 97% capacity in 2024-25, yearn for closure after his abrupt exit. Dallas fans, however, see Thompson as a stabilizing force amid chaos. A trade could spark backlash or ignite hope, depending on the return. X user @NBATalk sums it up: “Klay back to GS feels right, but it’s a business—does it make sense?”
The idea of Klay Thompson returning to the Golden State Warriors is a nostalgic fantasy that tugs at fans’ heartstrings, but its feasibility is questionable. While Thompson’s shooting could boost Golden State’s playoff push, the trade’s financial hurdles, Dallas’ rebuild needs, and Thompson’s declining two-way play make it a longshot. As the 2025 offseason unfolds, will this reunion spark a Warriors renaissance or remain a fan-driven dream?