Klay Thompson’s abrupt departure from the Golden State Warriors is partly attributed to the team’s pursuit of high-profile trade targets, including Lakers star LeBron James. On Monday, Thompson agreed to join the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team sign-and-trade. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews published a report detailing the events that led to the 34-year-old’s exit from the Warriors.
According to the report, Thompson’s frustration with Golden State stemmed from the organization repeatedly delaying contract negotiations in favor of chasing big-name stars like James. “By the time this offseason arrived, Thompson’s representatives had proposed at least four contracts to the team,” the story reads. “Each time, throughout the season, the response from the Warriors was that Thompson and his camp needed to wait while the franchise tried to improve the team in other deals. Most notably, sources said, were efforts to trade for Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, Brooklyn Nets swingman Mikal Bridges, Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, and Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen.”
None of these players ended up on the Warriors’ roster.
LeBron James Inks Max Deal
James, whom Golden State pursued ahead of the trade deadline, signed a two-year, $104 million max contract with the Lakers on Wednesday. This contract includes a player option and a no-trade clause, and James will be playing alongside his son, Bronny James, who also signed his first NBA contract after being drafted in the 2nd round of this year’s NBA Draft.
Bridges was traded to the New York Knicks last week, George signed with the 76ers, and Markkanen remains on the market. However, a trade involving him is unlikely, given the Warriors’ reluctance to part with Jonathan Kuminga.
The Warriors also failed to secure deals for role players like Buddy Hield, who could have helped fill the void left by Thompson. The final offer from Thompson’s camp, a two-year deal worth $20 million annually, was proposed one month ago. When the Warriors again delayed negotiations due to potential trades, Thompson decided he needed a fresh start, which he will now pursue in Texas.
Lakers and Warriors at Long Odds
According to current odds at 1XBet the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, two of the NBA’s most storied franchises, are longshots to win the 2025 NBA Championship.
Warriors are listed at +3,500 to win the title, placing them in the middle of the pack among NBA teams. This reflects their recent struggles to recapture the dominance of their championship years. Despite still having their core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Warriors face challenges competing with younger, more athletic teams in the Western Conference.
The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are similarly positioned with odds ranging from +3,000 to +4,000. This suggests that oddsmakers view the Lakers as having a slightly better chance than the Warriors but still far from being favorites. The Lakers’ odds likely reflect uncertainty about the team’s ability to build a championship-caliber roster around their aging superstar LeBron James and the injury-prone Anthony Davis.
Both teams’ odds are significantly behind the favorites. The Boston Celtics, fresh off their 2024 championship victory, lead the pack with odds around +300, followed by teams like the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
For the Warriors and Lakers to improve their championship prospects, they would likely need to make significant roster improvements or see a resurgence from their star players. However, their current odds suggest that oddsmakers and bettors view both teams as outside contenders for the 2025 NBA title.
It’s worth noting that NBA future odds can change dramatically based on offseason moves, trades, and player development. As such, these odds may shift as we approach the 2024-25 season.
