Golden State Turned Wallace Into Frontcourt Depth
Golden State acquired Jason Thompson from Philadelphia on July 31, 2015, only four days after the Warriors had received Gerald Wallace in the David Lee trade. Thompson was coming off a season in which he played 81 games and started 63 for Sacramento, so the defending champions were exchanging an aging wing who was unlikely to play for a veteran big who could compete for reserve minutes. Warriors general manager Bob Myers specifically framed Thompson as a depth addition, one of the strengths of the 2015 title roster.
The Basketball Return Was Useful but Brief
Thompson never became a major part of Golden State's rotation. He appeared in 28 games, started once and averaged 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 6.4 minutes. By February 2016, the Warriors waived him to open a roster spot for Anderson Varejao. That limits how much credit Golden State deserves for the player return, but Thompson still gave the club more on-court use than Wallace gave Philadelphia and helped cover the frontcourt during the first half of a 73-win season.
Philadelphia's Main Return Was Financial and Conditional
Philadelphia acquired Wallace, cash and the right to swap a 2016 first-round position with Golden State under the deal's conditions. Wallace never appeared in a game for the 76ers; Philadelphia waived him before training camp and remained responsible for his guaranteed salary. The first-round swap also was not exercised. The Sixers therefore did not create a lasting player or draft return from the transaction, although taking on Wallace's contract fit a rebuilding roster that had ample cap room and valued additional cash and optionality.
A Small Warriors Edge Fits the Outcome
Neither side landed a long-term contributor, so this trade belongs in the modest-win category. Golden State reduced its luxury-tax burden, replaced a player it did not plan to use with a veteran frontcourt option and received 28 games before changing course. Philadelphia absorbed Wallace, waived him without a game played and never used the swap right. The canonical B for the Warriors and C+ for the 76ers capture the narrow gap: Golden State extracted some roster value, while Philadelphia's conditional upside never turned into an asset.
Final Verdict
Warriors Win — Golden State B, Philadelphia C+. The Warriors exchanged Gerald Wallace for Jason Thompson, lowered their luxury-tax burden and received 28 games of reserve frontcourt depth. Thompson was waived in February to make room for Anderson Varejao, so the upside was limited. Philadelphia waived Wallace before he played a game for the franchise, and the 2016 first-round swap right was never exercised. Golden State's return was modest, but it produced the more useful completed outcome.