On Tuesday, November 11, Klay Thompson, a former Golden State Warrior since his selection at 11 in the 2011 NBA Draft, appeared as a visitor for the first time in a Dallas Mavericks jersey.
The momentous occasion for Captain Klay, a pillar of the four-time champion dynasty of The Bay, is sure to be full of emotion as well as celebration. Announced so far are a center court pre-game speech from fellow Splash Brother, Steph Curry; a minute-long tribute video; and over 18,000 captains hats to be given away to game attendees. While the moment is sure to be special, 2024 has been a roller coaster ride for the Warriors, Thompson himself, as well as collectors of the California son.
In early February of 2024, it was announced that Thompson would move from the starting rotation to the bench for the first time in his career. From April 7th to April 14th, Thompsons index value dropped 254 points from 6,869 to 6,615 on Card Ladder. February 4, a 2022-23 Panini Immaculate Klay Thompson 75th Anniversary one-of-one Logoman sold for $8,500.
After missing the Playoffs, the Warriors' season came to a disappointing early end. Thompson was the highest scoring player with 25 points in their final game of the season, a win against the Utah Jazz on April 14th. With the five-time All Star becoming a free agent in the off season, many wondered if that final performance was Thompson's swan song.
On April 24, 2024 a 2012-13 Immaculate Klay Thompson Rookie Patch Autograph 55/75 BGS 9.5 with a 10 auto sold for $1,510 on eBay. Similar cards have sold as high as $8,520 in November of 2021 and as low as $20.18 in 2015.
Rumors of interest from Eastern Conference teams the Philadelphia 76ers' and Orlando Magic's swirled, and on Friday, June 14th, Thompson unfollowed Golden State on Instagram. While appearing to be a subtle move, those with acute knowledge of internet culture knew this was a strong negotiation tactic and a signal that the end may be nigh.
On June 7th, a 2012 Panini Flawless Klay Thompson Jumbo Patch Rookie Gold 8/10 (ungraded) sold for $368 on eBay. A week later, on June 15, the day after the unfollow, the same card sold for $550.
Thompson's move was finally announced in a complex six-team sign-and-trade deal to the Dallas Mavericks on July 6th. The three-year, $50 million dollar contract had a positive impact on the future Hall of Famer's Card Ladder index; a value of 8,460 on July 7th steadily rose throughout the month of July, peaking at 8,672 on July 28th. In the week after the announcement, 388 sales were reported, with four of those sales above $1,000; the top sale being a 2012-13 National Treasures Klay Thompson Rookie Patch Auto /199 in a BGS 9 with a 10 autograph at $1,507. Shortly after winning his fourth Championship in September of 2022, this same card has a verified eBay sale of $5,400.
On August 12th, the NBA schedule was released and the former Splash Brother's homecoming to The Bay was set: November 12, 2024. The game is also the teams' first game in the NBA's in-season tournament, the Emirates NBA Cup. Though the index shows a steep drop off from August 13th to the 17th from 8,633 to 6,574, a major sale was logged during the slump; on August 17, 2024, a 2012-13 Panini Immaculate Collection Klay Thompson Rookie Logoman Auto one-of-one sold for $30,000 on eBay.
Since that steep drop off in the August off-season, Thompson's index has made a recovery. From August 26th to present, a change of 637 is in place with a peak of 8,183 for several days in the first week of October. During that peak, a 2012 Panini Prizm Gold Klay Thompson #203 7/10 PSA 10 with a population of three was sold for $13,250 on Alt. One of the three PSA 10s was previously sold on Alt for $9,360 in December of 2023.
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