Pre-2019-20 Rank: #22, Pre-2020-21 Rank: #23, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #24, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #19, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #17
*Positional Notes: Thompson is playing more at Small Forward these days, but his peak was in his role as a Shooting Guard.
*Peak Period: From 2014-15 to 2022-23. Note that Thompson missed the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Seasons, so this nine-year period is seven full seasons.
The elite period of Klay Thompson is over, but his narrative might be in the greatest state of flux. Thompson was one-half of the Splash Brothers, but it was always known that his partner, Steph Curry, was the straw that stirred the drink. A five-time All-Star, Thompson was a key part of Golden State’s last four NBA Titles, but at no time was he the top dog, and at times, not even the number two canine.
This year, Thompson joins Dallas, which is fresh off its Finals appearance. If they win the NBA Championship in 2025, it will be a fun argument as to who it helps the most: Kyrie Irving or Klay Thompson.