Overview
- Thompson publicly said “it’d be nice to end it in Golden State” and “never say never” when asked by fans at Fanatics Fest over the weekend, reopening talk of a Bay Area return.
- He is on the final year of a three-year, $50 million deal signed in 2024, which would make him an unrestricted free agent after the 2026–27 season.
- Multiple outlets and NBA insiders report the Dallas Mavericks are open to moving Thompson via trade or a buyout, making him a trade/buyout candidate this offseason.
- Local analysts and roster-watchers note the Warriors face concrete limits on taking back Thompson’s salary and that a buyout appears unlikely, so an immediate trade reunion is considered impractical.
- Media have floated concrete trade packages and at least one unnamed executive said a reunion could gain momentum if Golden State misses on higher-priority targets, though a return next summer as a free agent is seen as the more realistic path.