Warriors’ Dynasty, NBA Title Hopes End After Failed Paul George Trade, Klay Rumors

The Golden State Warriors entered the offseason with goals of reinvigorating their NBA title hopes.

Instead, they face the likelihood that their two primary targets will go elsewhere.

The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami reported the team had expectations of acquiring Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers in a sign-and-trade deal that would have included a package of some kind, with Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, and Moses Moody among the potential names, as well as a No. 1 draft pick.

The deal fell apart when George declined his player option and headed for free agency instead. He will sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Making matters worse is that future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson, who won four NBA titles with the organization, is a free agent for the first time in his career and expects to talk to the Mavericks, Lakers, Clippers, and 76ers this offseason, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Thompson saw reduced time in 2023-24, with the team opting to give Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski more opportunities. As a result, he scored 17.8 points per game, his first season under 20 since 2013-14.

Not the player he once was, he is still an excellent shooter and his defensive skill set is still one of his strongest attributes.

The organization did not see the value in re-signing him to a significant contract, though, hence the situation it finds itself in.

Thompson will likely look elsewhere to finish his career while the organization is without George, who was the top prize in the league this offseason, leaving the Warriors with dashed NBA title hopes.

Other players are available or will become so, that the team could target to help get them back into contention in a stacked Western Conference. Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz is one, for example, but it remains to be seen if that organization would be willing to trade within the same conference.

Steph Curry is still one of the best players in the league and Draymond Green is still a superb defender, but the window is closing on the number of seasons the Warriors have left in terms of contending for an NBA title.

They need a third star, help defensively, and someone who can grind it out when things get aggressive in the paint. A selfless star.

Missing out on George, perhaps the most selfless legitimate star in the league, when they had gone through the process of putting together a solid trade package and knowing Thompson is unlikely to return, is a major blow for the team’s new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.

How he responds to his first real adversity in the front office will likely determine the tone for the rest of the season.

And, ultimately, how realistic a shot the team has of making it back to the playoffs, let alone competing for the Larry O’Brien trophy.