Klay Thompson just turned 36, and while the birthday candles might signal the twilight of a storied NBA career, the sharpshooter isn’t fading quietly into the background. His on-court production may be dipping, but off the court, Thompson just landed a deal that cements his legacy in a whole new way.
Thompson, now with the Dallas Mavericks, is averaging a career-low 11.6 points per game and shooting 37.5% from three - numbers that are a far cry from the flamethrower we saw during his peak years with the Golden State Warriors. And with Dallas shifting gears into a rebuild centered around young phenom Cooper Flagg, Thompson’s fit in the Mavericks' long-term plans is very much in question.
But while his NBA future may be uncertain, Thompson just locked in a major win in the business world. On Friday, he signed a lifetime deal with Anta, the Chinese sportswear brand that’s been in his corner for over a decade.
The two sides have been partners for 12 years, and in that time, Anta has sold more than 10 million pairs of KT-branded sneakers. That’s not just a successful collaboration - that’s a global sneaker empire.
This new "legacy deal" goes beyond basketball. It’s a long-term commitment that ensures Thompson will remain a central figure in Anta’s brand identity well after he hangs up his jersey. It’s a move that mirrors what we’ve seen from other greats who’ve parlayed their on-court excellence into off-court longevity.
As for what’s next on the hardwood, Thompson’s name is already surfacing in buyout speculation. With the postseason looming and contenders looking to bolster their rosters, there’s a real chance he could be on the move again. Whether he stays in Dallas or joins a playoff-bound team looking for veteran shooting and championship pedigree, one thing’s for sure - wherever Klay goes, the Antas are coming with him.
For a player who helped redefine the modern NBA with his shooting, this moment feels fitting. Even as his role on the floor evolves, Thompson continues to shape the game - and his brand - on his own terms.