SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 16: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement.
Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The “Splash Brothers” era could be ending for the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors expect to lose Klay Thompson in free agency after 11 seasons with the team, The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported Saturday.
Thompson combined with Steph Curry to help lead the Warriors to four titles between 2015 and 2022.
The Warriors have not made an offer to Thompson as of Saturday afternoon, according to Charania and Slater.
Thompson is eligible to speak with other teams Sunday, and to sign elsewhere on July 6.
The duo Thompson formed with Steph Curry, which helped lead the Warriors to six Finals, is now regarded as one of the greatest backcourts in NBA history.
Warriors fans thanked Thompson for his role on the Splash Brothers among his other contributions to the franchise over 13 years in the Bay Area.
The news of Thompson’s expected departure comes on an already difficult day for Warriors fans.
Paul George, a rumored trade target of the Warriors, declined his player option with the Los Angeles Clippers for next season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday.
That means George is headed to free agency, where the Warriors will likely not have the cap space to sign him.
Fans’ stress was made even worse by Shams Charania and Anthony Slater’s report for The Athletic that the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be a “strong suitor” for Thompson.
The Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are also expected to show interest in Thompson in free agency, per Charania and Slater.
No matter Thompson’s next destination, his departure from San Francisco will mark the end of an era for the Warriors and raise questions about how Golden State plans to rebuild into another title contender around Curry.
