Golden State Warriors: Pros and Cons of Trading Klay Thompson

Apr 20, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

In the 2012-13 NBA season, for the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson was the Warriors’ third leading scorer, while occasionally breaking out to score north of 25 points. Those are some pretty good numbers, but his shooting percentage was atrocious in the games where he had off-nights. Unlike his partner, Stephen Curry, he failed to be consistent. It could have been a sophomore slump, and the Warriors can let it pass. Or, they could address the issue now and trade him.

Trading Thompson? A crucial piece to the Warriors offensive and defensive flow? Yes, it’s hard to wrap your head around the idea, but it’s just a thought. The Warriors have done fine with him, and when he scores the basketball, he’s a fan favorite. Unfortunately for Thompson, if he fails to produce when it matters, he may be taken out of the game. When he’s having an off-game, he misses almost every shot. When he’s on fire, however, he makes difficult shots, even the clutch ones.

Pros

1. More Consistency

Getting a guard who can consistently score 16-17 points per game could mean everything for the Warriors. Not that Thompson won’t do this next year, but another guy could do it as well. Eric Gordon from the New Orleans Pelicans has been discussed as a possible option for the Warriors. The Warriors don’t look to be dealing Thompson, but this guy could be a good option for starting shooting guard. Rather than scoring four points one night, then 32 the next, Gordon will consistently contribute.

2. Veteran Leadership

The last thing that the Warriors would want to do is deal Thompson for someone who is just as young. If anything, they should get some more veterans onto the roster to be able to teach the rookies. Guys like Kevin Martin or even Joe Johnson would be good for them. They need someone who knows how to take over games in the final minutes, no matter what.

Cons

1. Perimeter Defense

Without Brandon Rush on the court, the Warriors should have struggled on defense. But they didn’t, however.

It was guys like Thompson who stepped up their defense and played against other guys like Kevin Durant, who could easily drop 35 each night. Thompson’s defense can be game-saving, and he comes up with clutch plays, always knowing where to be.

Sometimes, however, he fouls too much. If he learns to change that, he could be on an all-defensive team at some point in his career.

2. Hot Shooting

I know, the shooting can get problematic. But when that shot is going in, and he’s having fun playing the game, it looks pretty dangerous to me. Even when he’s having an off-night, many see him with the ball at the 3-point line and sprint out to him.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, if they trade him, the “Splash Brothers” will no longer exist. This is something that the fans have come to love. The 3-point line will just be Stephen Curry, and not Thompson breaking that record with him.