The NBA offseason is buzzing with a tantalizing rumor: 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, Jedd Pagaduan of ClutchPoints proposed a trade sending Thompson back to the Warriors in exchange for Moses Moody and Gui Santos, sparking heated debates among fans. With Thompson’s underwhelming 14 points per game and 39.1% three-point shooting in Dallas, and the Warriors struggling to rebuild around Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, this trade idea is both a nostalgic dream and a strategic gamble. As fans on X ask, “Klay back to Golden State? No way, right?”—this analysis dives into the trade’s feasibility, Thompson’s fit, and whether it could reignite a dynasty or flop spectacularly.
Klay Thompson’s Struggles in Dallas
When Klay Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks in a 2024 sign-and-trade, expectations soared. After losing the 2024 NBA Finals 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. Injuries decimated the roster, and a reported blockbuster trade sending Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and draft picks, per ESPN, plunged the team into chaos. With a 29-53 record, Dallas is out of playoff contention, per NBA.com.
At 35, Thompson has been solid but unspectacular, averaging 14 points and 39.1% from three in 78 games. His elite shooting remains, but his once All-Defensive-level defense has waned post-ACL and Achilles injuries (2019-2020). X posts like @MavsNation lament, “Klay isn’t the game-changer we hoped for.” His $16.7 million annual salary through 2027 is a financial burden for a rebuilding Dallas, fueling trade rumors. Could a return to Golden State, where he won four titles, be the answer? Thompson’s silence on the matter leaves fans guessing, but his 2024 exit from the Warriors was reportedly tense, per ESPN.
Warriors’ Roster Woes
The Golden State Warriors are 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 a 44-38 record and a second-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves exposed roster flaws. The addition of Jimmy Butler via a 2024 trade bolstered defense, but the supporting cast—Dennis Schröder, Andrew Wiggins, and Moses Moody—lacks consistency. The Warriors rank 12th in offensive rating (113.2), per NBA.com, and desperately need shooting to complement Curry’s gravity.
Moses Moody, a 2021 lottery pick, has disappointed. 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, earning a DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision). Gui Santos, a 2022 second-rounder, averages 3.1 points in limited minutes, offering little trade value. X users like @DubNationHQ vent, “Moody isn’t cutting it—it’s time for a change.” A Thompson trade could address Golden State’s shooting woes, but at what cost?
The Trade Proposal: Logic and Flaws
Jedd Pagaduan argues that Thompson’s return makes sense for a deep playoff run. “Klay has to be better than the version of Moody we saw in the 2025 playoffs,” he writes, suggesting Thompson’s experience and shooting would thrive in a reduced role alongside Curry and Butler. With less pressure as a tertiary scorer, Thompson could focus on catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he shot 41.2% from three in 2020-21, per Basketball Reference. His familiarity with Kerr’s motion offense is a plus.
However, the trade—Thompson for Moody and Santos—is lopsided. 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 gains young prospects but loses Thompson’s veteran presence, crucial for mentoring Cooper Flagg, the projected 2025 No. 1 pick. Golden State sacrifices depth and future flexibility for a 35-year-old with declining defense. ESPN’s Zach Lowe calls it “a long shot driven by nostalgia,” noting Thompson’s reluctance to return after a contentious 2024 exit. The Warriors’ $175 million luxury tax bill, per Spotrac, further complicates absorbing his salary without shedding Wiggins or Looney, weakening their frontcourt.
Thompson’s Warriors Legacy and Fit
Thompson’s 13-year tenure with Golden State (2011-2024) is legendary: four championships, five All-Star nods, and an NBA-record 14 threes in a game (2018). His “Splash Brother” partnership with Curry revolutionized basketball, with the 2022 title proving his post-injury resilience. X fans like @KlayFanClub plead, “Bring Klay home—he belongs in the Bay.” His chemistry with Curry and fit in Steve Kerr’s system make a reunion enticing.
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, shooting 42.3% from three) for minutes. His 2.1 defensive win shares in 2024-25, down from 5.2 in 2016-17, suggest struggles against wings like Anthony Edwards. Absorbing his contract risks roster imbalance, as The Athletic notes: “Klay’s heart is a Warrior, but his contract and two-way play aren’t what they were.” A return could spark Chase Center, which saw 97% capacity in 2024-25, but it’s a sentimental gamble.
Dallas’ Perspective: Why Trade Klay?
For Dallas, trading Thompson signals 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 mentors Flagg’s shooting, but his $50 million deal clashes with Dallas’ youth-focused payroll. Moody, a 22-year-old with upside, and Santos, a developing wing, offer long-term potential, but neither addresses Dallas’ need for a lead guard, with Sports Illustrated suggesting veterans like Markelle Fultz.
X posts like @MavsGameday argue, “Keep Klay—he’s our best shooter and leader.” His playoff experience (33.1% from three in 2025) is valuable for a young roster, and his departure could alienate fans after a turbulent season. The trade’s lack of draft picks reduces its appeal, as Dallas prioritizes future assets.
NBA Context and Trade Viability
The proposal 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 shift. However, the trade’s financial mismatch and Thompson’s reported hurt over Golden State’s 2024 lowball offer, per ESPN, make it unlikely. Hield’s cheaper, effective shooting fills Thompson’s role, and alternative trades—like Wiggins for Zach LaVine—offer more upside. For Dallas, trading Thompson to a rival like the Knicks for expiring contracts aligns better with their timeline, per Bleacher Report.
Emotional and Cultural Stakes
The trade’s allure lies in its emotional weight. Thompson’s Game 6 heroics (2016) and 2022 title make a reunion compelling. Warriors fans crave closure after his abrupt exit, while Dallas fans see him as a stabilizing force. A trade could ignite hope or backlash, as X user @NBATalk sums up: “Klay back to GS feels right, but it’s a business—does it make sense?” The narrative captivates a Facebook audience, blending nostalgia, drama, and high stakes.
The idea of Klay Thompson returning to the Golden State Warriors, as proposed by Jedd Pagaduan on May 25, 2025, is a nostalgic fantasy that stirs the hearts of fans. While his shooting could boost Golden State’s playoff push, the trade’s financial hurdles, Dallas’ rebuild, and Thompson’s diminished two-way play make it a long shot. As the 2025 offseason unfolds, will this reunion spark a Warriors resurgence or remain a fan-driven dream?