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The 8 Worst Golden State Warriors roster decisions of the last decade

By Sam LaFrance

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Jordan Poole #3 during the third quarter in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 30, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Jordan Poole #3 during the third quarter in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 30, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

7. Golden State Warriors pay Klay Thompson big money following his torn ACL

Another questionable Golden State Warriors decision from 2019 is still affecting the team’s cap sheet to this day. On July 10, 2019, the Warriors signed Klay Thompson to a five-year, $189.9 million contract, less than a month after he tore his left ACL in the NBA Finals.

In fairness to the front office, this move was essentially mandatory and is on this more as a result of bad luck. At this point, Golden State’s No. 11 had been a key part of three NBA Championship teams and had made five trips to the NBA Finals.

Myers and co. were in a difficult spot with Thompson being due for a new deal after such a substantial injury. The sharpshooting guard’s ailment coming so late in the playoff run didn’t help either. It all but guaranteed that he’d miss the entire first year of the lucrative contract.

That he did.

To make matters worse, the bad luck continued to pile up for Thompson and the Dubs. In November of the 2020 offseason, the five-time All-Star was working out and ruptured his right Achilles. The injury caused Thompson to miss his second-straight season while he recovered.

During the two seasons that he was out, the Warriors suffered. They finished with a record of 15-50 in that disaster of a 2019-20 season and then followed it up with a 39-33 season — where they were eliminated in the inaugural Play-In Tournament.

Since then, Thompson has made his return, helped the Warriors win their fourth title since 2015, and has even returned to top form in terms of shooting — logging his most efficient 3-point shooting season since 2018, knocking down 41.2% of his attempts in 2022-23.

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