Klay Thompson, Draymond Green Didn't 'Sit Well' With Warriors Extending Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole

The Golden State Warriors are witnessing the start of the end of an era following Klay Thompson's decision to leave the franchise after 14 years to join the Dallas Mavericks. According to recent reports, he felt undervalued in the team's long term plans.

As detailed by ESPN's senior writer Ramona Shelbourne, the Warriors' decision to extend the contracts of Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole in 2022 sparked significant tension among the team's star veterans, Thompson and Draymond Green. The extensions, four years at $140 million and four years at $109 million for Wiggins, were seen as a slight at Thompson and Green, who felt their contributions to the team's title run that year were being overshadowed.

This perceived disrespect deeply affected Thompson. His frustration became apparent as the 2022-23 season progressed, making his behavior increasingly challenging for even his most loyal supporters in the locker room. Sources reported several emotional meetings between Thompson and head coach Steve Kerr, a stark contrast to the previously harmonious relationship that had led Kerr to describe Thompson as a "zero maintenance" star , according to ESPN.

Thompson has not been able to return to the superstar form he had throughout the Warriors' dominant reign over the league from 2015 to 2019, especially after tearing his ACL in the 2019 NBA Finals against Toronto and then rupturing his achilles the following year.

Despite these hardships, he made his inspiring comeback and still proved to be solid in the role he had en route to the team getting themselves back up to the mountaintop after beating Boston in the 2022 NBA Finals for their fourth championship in seven years.

The Warriors were already preparing for a future without Thompson due to his injuries. His return in 2022 saw him reclaim his spot in the starting lineup as it pushed the emerging Poole back to the bench in a sixth man role. However, Poole's presence and lucrative contract extension exacerbated Thompson's feelings of being undervalued even though the team eventually traded Poole to Washington in exchange for veteran guard Chris Paul in the 2023 offseason.

Green's frustrations were also well-documented, but he managed to secure a four-year contract in 2023 after a strong 2022-23 campaign. Thompson, despite averaging 22 points per game and shooting 41% on three-pointers two seasons ago, did not receive a comparable offer. The Warriors' reluctance was partly due to Green's leverage as a free agent in 2023 and the impending new collective bargaining agreement, which urged the team to maintain financial flexibility.

After a disappointing finish to the 2023-24 season, missing the playoffs and finishing 10th in the Western Conference, the Warriors' front office recognized the need for significant changes. Despite Kerr and the team's efforts to keep the roster intact, the front office aimed to shake things up to capitalize on Stephen Curry's remaining prime years and manage the escalating luxury tax bill.

As a result, this change in the team's direction marked the end of Thompson's tenure with the franchise he has experienced unforgettable success with. Moving on to his next chapter, he will join Mavericks' stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to help play a vital role in them returning to the NBA Finals after losing to Boston in five games this year.

Related: Draymond Green Speaks Out For First Time After Klay Thompson's Warriors Exit