Klay Thompson Slaps Back at Kevin Durant Over His 76ers vs. Warriors Championship Team Comparison Take

DALLAS — Klay Thompson fired back at former teammate Kevin Durant this week after Durant argued that the reshaped Philadelphia 76ers roster grades out ahead of the championship Golden State Warriors teams the two once won titles on together.

The exchange began Saturday when Durant, speaking at a USA Basketball charity event in Ladera Ranch, California, said LeBron James and the 76ers now have enough offensive firepower to contend for the 2027 championship. “The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on,” Durant said. “[The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch. It’s going to be League Pass-worthy.”

A podcast debate spills onto Instagram

The comments resurfaced online after a clip from “The E-Lab” podcast, which broke down the roster comparison, was posted to Instagram over the weekend. Host Tevin J. Payne commented on the post that Philadelphia was talented but nowhere near the level of the Warriors team Durant joined in 2016.

Durant responded directly to Payne on Monday, listing individual accolades for each of Philadelphia’s projected starters to make his case. “Ain’t close lmao,” Durant wrote. “Joel, MVP recently. Jaylen Brown, recent Finals MVP, Tyrese Maxey, All-Star the last 3 years. We all know what Bron does. Klay Thompson, never a MVP candidate in nothing, 22ppg. Draymond, 14ppg, 7 rebounds 6 assist, Steph a MVP just like Joel was. I don’t get how the Warriors team is better on paper.”

Thompson responds directly

Thompson, tagged by name in Durant’s comment, posted his own reply to his Instagram story, tagging Durant’s account in the process. “Aye man, u good?” Thompson wrote. “What u using my full government name for?”

The exchange also drew a response from former NBA forward Evan Turner, who weighed in on X over Durant’s characterization of Thompson’s individual accolades. “‘Was never an MVP in anything’ is a tad bit aggressive, LOL,” Turner wrote.

Thompson’s numbers during the Durant era in Golden State

During the 2016-17 season — Durant’s first with the Warriors — Thompson averaged 22.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 78 games, marking the third of his five career All-Star selections. Thompson has won four championships overall, including two alongside Durant in 2017 and 2018.

Philadelphia’s revamped roster

The 76ers have undergone a significant offseason transformation. Philadelphia acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston earlier this summer and signed James on July 24 to a two-year, $8 million contract that includes a player option and a full 15% trade kicker. James, 41, made close to $53 million with the Los Angeles Lakers last season before agreeing to the significantly reduced deal in Philadelphia. Embiid, Maxey and Brown each averaged at least 25 points per game during the 2025-26 season.

Thompson’s current situation in Dallas

Thompson, 36, is entering the final season of the three-year, $50 million contract he signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, which pays him just under $17.5 million for 2026-27. He becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2027.

Last season, over 69 games, including eight starts, Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.7 minutes per game — all career lows. He shot 39.3% from the field and 38.3% from beyond the arc.

According to Christian Clark of The Athletic, citing multiple sources with rival teams, the Mavericks have explored trading Thompson but have yet to find a deal. Clark also reported that Thompson would welcome a potential move to Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and continues to keep a home.

Dallas currently carries 16 players on standard contracts after matching a two-year offer sheet from New York for center Moussa Cissé — one more than the league’s roster limit allows, adding pressure on the front office to make a corresponding move.

Under new team president Masai Ujiri, the Mavericks’ offseason additions have included Zaccharie Risacher, Santi Aldama and Marcus Sasser via trade, along with draft picks Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio De Larrea and Tobi Lawal.

Miami has repeatedly been mentioned around the league as a potential landing spot for Thompson, with the Heat reportedly preferring to wait for a buyout rather than surrender assets in a trade. According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, an anonymous NBA scout estimated Thompson could command roughly $5 million on the open market in that scenario.

Durant’s own new chapter

Durant, for his part, is now with the Houston Rockets, where he averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his first season with the franchise and earned All-NBA Second Team honors. Houston and Dallas share the Southwest Division and will face off four times during the upcoming regular season, setting up potential further meetings — and perhaps additional exchanges — between the two former Warriors teammates.