A proposed Golden State Warriors trade would send Jimmy Butler to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford – a deal that would reunite the Splash Brothers while reshaping both rosters around their respective futures.
The proposal lands on top of Thompson’s own comments about wanting to end his contract in Golden State. This is not just a nostalgia pitch. This is a structurally coherent roster move with genuine betting and fantasy consequences.
What Klay Thompson Said About a Warriors Return
Thompson made his feelings clear at Fanatics Fest, responding to a fan who said they missed watching him in a Warriors uniform. He then went further, referencing his contract situation directly.
“Shoot, I don’t know. I’ve got one year left on my deal. It would be nice to end it in Golden State.”
That quote does two things simultaneously. It confirms Thompson’s desire to return and it signals to Golden State that a trade is worth pursuing while his deal still has value attached. A buyout would hand the Warriors Thompson cheaply – but Dallas has shown little appetite for that route.
The Full Trade Breakdown and Why Both Teams Do It
The proposed framework has the Warriors receiving Thompson, Washington, and Gafford while the Mavericks take Butler and a 2029 first-round pick from Golden State. On the Warriors side, the projected starting five of Stephen Curry, Thompson, Washington, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis carries genuine playoff viability. Washington is one of the better 3-and-D wings available at his price point.
For Dallas, the calculation is even simpler. The Mavericks are openly building around Cooper Flagg and a young core that also includes Dereck Lively II, Morez Johnson Jr., John Poulakidas, Moussa Cisse, and the recently acquired Zaccharie Risacher. Dumping two contracts extending into 2029 for Butler’s expiring salary clears cap space and removes long-term financial drag in one move.
Reports indicate Dallas is already shopping both Gafford and Washington, and that the Mavericks want at least one first-round pick back for Gafford alone. This trade meets that price while also offloading Washington alongside him. As a potential complement to broader Dallas roster reconstruction scenarios, the move accelerates the Flagg era without mortgaging it.
Analytical Verdict: 55/45 in Favor of a Thompson Trade Getting Done
The skeptic’s case rests on one real concern: Golden State would be trading Butler’s expiring deal for two contracts running through at least 2029. That is a meaningful flexibility sacrifice for a franchise still navigating its post-dynasty window.
The counterargument is that Washington and Gafford are young enough to be contributors for multiple seasons and tradeable assets if Brandin Podziemski or Moses Moody take larger roles.
The risk-reward sits in Golden State’s favor, given that Butler’s injury situation – he is expected to miss significant time in the 2026-27 season – limits his leverage as a trade chip anyway.
For fantasy managers, a Thompson return to Golden State could also shift his usage. Monitor his situation closely. And for context on how Dallas has been shedding wing assets lately, the Dereck Jones Jr. trade to the Lakers is worth revisiting.
What to Watch as the Thompson Trade Story Develops
The next real inflection point is whether Dallas commits to a trade route or pivots toward a buyout. A buyout changes the math entirely for Golden State – lower cost, no assets surrendered.
If the Mavericks hold firm on wanting picks and salary relief, this specific framework becomes the most realistic path to a Splash Brothers reunion.
- Trade route: Warriors would receive Thompson alongside P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford
- Buyout route: Dallas could instead pursue salary relief
- LeBron variable: Warriors’ roster plans could be impacted by where James lands
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