Why it's time for Warriors to trade Klay Thompson

All good things come to an end. Yes, even the Splash Brothers. 

It's time for the Golden State Warriors to seriously consider trading four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson. He's 33 and deep into the back nine of his career, closer now to Miami Heat sniper Duncan Robinson than he is to a reliable 3-and-D wing. 

In their heyday, the Warriors epitomized selfless basketball. They played freely and fluidly with a singular focus on raising another NBA championship banner. Now, they're selfish, and Thompson's famous 2016 quote — "I ain't sacrificing [expletive]" — rings true more than ever. 

Want evidence? Since returning from his two catastrophic injuries, Thompson is the only starter to never come off the bench. He hasn't since his 2011-12 rookie campaign.  

Since the 2021-22 NBA season, when the duo of Curry and Draymond Green play, the Warriors are 33-8 without Thompson, per ClutchPoints. When Thompson plays, they are 36-34. 

This season, Thompson's averages of 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists haven't done enough to offset his poor defense and terrible decision-making. He's far too slow to guard shifty guards and at 6-foot-6 is too small to guard forwards. 

Thompson's poor shot selection has been on prime display all season, reminding Golden State fans of the Western Conference semifinals last season, when he shot the Warriors out of Game 6 against the Lakers by going 3 for 19. 

This season, Thompson is putting up stat lines similar to that almost on a weekly basis. On Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks (22-27), he scored 10 points on 4 for 19 from the field. 

Thompson is the 12th-highest-paid player in the NBA this season, bringing home $43.2 million. That's more than stars Anthony Davis ($40.6 million) of the Lakers, Luka Doncic ($40.1 million) of the Mavericks and Devin Booker ($36 million) of the Suns. 

To his credit, Warriors owner Joe Lacob has refused to offer Thompson a max extension.

"Klay Thompson still believes he's a high-level wing as a shooter and a scorer that can defend bigger guys," The Athletic's Anthony Slater said on Jan. 26 on the "Hoops Hype" podcast. "He still thinks he's a high-money player and should be valued like that."

The bottom line is Golden State must allocate its money elsewhere.

Twenty-one-year-old Jonathan Kuminga is a restricted free agent next summer. His emergence, combined with his potential, suggests he will be offered a max contract by some team. The front office may have to choose between Kuminga and Thompson, a no-brainer decision. Moses Moody is another restricted free agent next summer who will need to get paid. 

Thompson's gigantic contract is expiring, so he should be a valuable player on the trade market. 

Due to new CBA restrictions, many teams would love to get $43.2 million off their books this summer. Additionally, in any trade, the salaries must match, so Golden State (21-25) can bring in multiple rotation players that add up to $43 million in exchange for Thompson and his expiring deal.

But there's a caveat: Whatever big decisions are made within the organization, they will be run by Curry, the face of the franchise. Will Curry allow Thompson, his friend, to be traded?

If not, and he chooses to finish his career alongside his longtime teammate, it could  mark the end of the Curry-led Warriors dynasty.