Klay Thompson sheds his Golden State Warrior kit for the Dallas Mavericks - (Keith Allison photo)

Luka Doncic has offensive and defensive help in Klay Thompson's move to the Mavs that can make him all smiles

Kyrie Irving - (NBA photo) THE CRUCIFIXION of KYRIE IRVING

Jack Ramsey coached Walton with the 1977 NBA Champion Portland Trail Blazers BILL WALTON REMEMBERED

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyamai - (NBA Photo) VICTOR WEMBANYAMA = THE REAL DEAL

Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson and Boston Celtics Larry Bird in Game two of the 1985 NBA Finals at Boston Garden Date 30 May 1985 - Steve Lipofsky www.Basketballphoto.com ALL TIME NBA 1st TEAM - BREAKING IT DOWN

Bill Russell is seen here in the green uniform guarding Wilt Chamberlain. They had some of the NBA's most classic battles. Russell sadly passed away Sunday at the age of 88 - (US Library of Congress image) ALL TIME NBA 1st TEAM - BREAKING IT DOWN

SPORTS NOTES - KLAY THOMPSON is a SHAKER & MOVER

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

That brings the end of the SPLASH BROTHERS that was the key ingredient of the Golden State Warriors four NBA titles in the second decade of the 21st Century. Thompson's move wasn't as socking as the team he chose - THIS DAY IN THE NBA - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Tuesday July 30, 2024

CAREER DECISION

This month was a month of movers and shakers. What we recognized are the career changes of a number of athletes. The most shocking was Klay Thompson breaking up the Golden State Warriors BIG 3. He decided to take less money after higher offers to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

Thompson agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks. Financial savings from living in Texas over California and the fact that the Mavericks came within three victories of an NBA championship were big factors in his decision.

Thompson won four NBA championships in his 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, but his role fluctuated throughout last season, including him being moved to a bench role in late February. Thompson was never the same after spending two seasons on not playing due to foot injuries.

The injuries occurred during the off-season as he was playing in pickup games. When he returned he seemed tentative with his movements. It was as if he wasn't confident with his recovery. It's a natural mindset for an athlete that is returning from a serious injury. He wasn't moving without the ball as aggressively. That was one thing that stood out about the Warriors was their rotating movement without the ball.

The interesting thing is his injuries were around the time he signed a deal with a Chinese company Anta, signing a 10-year deal with it in 2016 to make his signature shoe. The problem is the company lacked a history of making athletic shoes. This insight, to out knowledge, was never addressed thoroughly in the media.

He averaged 17.9 points last season, his lowest since 2012-13. He has a 19.6 career average. When he returned from injury for the 2021-22 season he had a 20.4 average.

His three point shooting average was down to .385 from his career average of .405. The majority of his career he shot well over 40 percent. His career high was .443 in 2019. Ironically he was injured in the off-season and was out for two years.

That brings the end of the SPLASH BROTHERS that was the key ingredient of the Golden State Warriors four NBA titles in the second decade of the 21st Century. Thompson's move wasn't as socking as the team he chose.

Many felt he would become a member of the LA Lakers where his father Mychal played. It will be interesting to see how he blends in with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. These three have the making of being an NBA title challenging team.

The NEW BIG 3 also have the makings of being the NEW SPLASH BROTHERS. What makes the difference will be chemistry both personalities and getting shots from their favorite spots on the floor. The blending of the three may take some time but it will be interesting to see how they develop.

It was time for a change of scene and a new beginning fro the 34-year-old. Thompson, Doncic and Irving… hmmm… interesting.

NBA NEWS

NBA Salary Cap for 2024-25 season set at $140.588 million

The National Basketball Association announced that the Salary Cap has been set at $140.588 million for the 2024-25 season. The Tax Level for the 2024-25 season is $170.814 million.

The Salary Cap and Tax Level went into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, July 1. Teams were permitted to begin negotiating with free agents today at 6:00 p.m. ET - six hours prior to the start of the league's "moratorium period." The moratorium period ends at noon ET on Saturday, July 6.

o The Minimum Team Salary is $126.529 million for the 2024-25 season.

o The First Apron Level is $178.132 million for the 2024-25 season.

o The Second Apron Level is $188.931 million for the 2024-25 season.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement provides for three different Mid-Level Exceptions depending on a team's salary level. The Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level for the 2024-25 season is $12.822 million, the Taxpayer Mid-Level is $5.168 million, and the Mid-Level for a team with room under the Salary Cap is $7.983 million.

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