If there were tears shed during their farewell conversation—which was clearly intense and emotional—it was the last time Steph Curry and Klay Thompson shared a splash together.
With Thompson’s departure from their collaboration, which resulted in four championships with the Warriors and other unforgettable moments that improved the game, they are no longer brothers in basketball.
He made the decision to sign a free agent contract with the Dallas Mavericks in order to leave his frustrating past with the Warriors. Curry, who at last got the opportunity to discuss it all in public on Sunday, was also impacted by that choice.
Curry took time out from Team USA’s Olympic preparations to discuss, no, lament, the dissolution of a generational backcourt. He used a particular phrase to characterize the undesirable development:
“It is (bad).”
Since 2011, Curry and Thompson have been together. They have the same jersey, but what really set them apart as a team was their incredible ability to shoot long distance. They alternated in competing for 3-point records and are the only teammates to have combined for more than 600 3-pointers in a season (678 in 2015–16). Thompson broke Curry’s single-game record in 2018 by making 14 deep shots.
They are as close as, if not closer than, any two teammates in NBA history. They are the kids of previous players and started guard in a 2015 All-Star Game.
But it went farther than that. The Warriors’ championship dynasty was built by Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green. Curry may have foolishly believed that they would remain together indefinitely, especially after Green signed a contract two summers ago.
“I never thought this would kind of be the reality, so it’s one of those hard things to kind of process,” Curry remarked. “I’ve always wanted to go out on a winning note with those two guys and have the chance to stay relevant while we did it.”
Although Green never gave leaving ship much thought, there were warning signs about Thompson. Upon his return in 2021, Thompson struggled to recapture his form at both ends after missing two seasons due to major leg injuries.
Thompson was a lame duck going into a walk year when the team declined to extend his contract two summers ago, which started the process of him potentially leaving. The clamor escalated in the 2023–24 season after he was removed from the starting lineup.
It was obvious that Thompson was unhappy and worried about his future in addition to the season. The Warriors’ negotiations weren’t easy. Despite LeBron James’ entreaties, Thompson, seeking a fresh start, went with the newly crowned Western Conference champion Mavericks over the Lakers.
“Klay’s decision-making journey has taken about a year and a half to fully understand, as well as the team’s position regarding the extension offer,” Curry remarked.
“I was aware of the majority of the updates regarding the ongoing negotiations and wanted to ensure Klay had the proper support to make the best decision for himself.”
Curry saw that keeping Thompson wouldn’t be in Thompson’s best interests and set aside his own selfish motivations.
Curry stated, “It came down to the fact that he needed a change.” “I didn’t have to persuade him to stay in that circumstance. I understood his significance to our company. It was just one of those circumstances when you have to have faith that he is acting in his own best interests.
“In the end, I want him to be content.For as long as he wants to play, he deserves to enjoy himself while playing basketball. The fact that it won’t be with us just (stinks).
Even though Curry is clearly very powerful within the company, he acknowledged that Thompson had advised him not to show it out.
Indeed, Curry replied. Not that I listened, mind you.
Ultimately, it made no difference. Thompson already had his goal and his mind made up.
Paul George’s free agency departure to join the Philadelphia 76ers was a smaller but no less painful divorce for the Clippers. When George and Kawhi Leonard teamed up in 2019, they didn’t have any titles to show for their collaboration, unlike the Splash Brothers.
That summer, Kawhi specifically requested that the Clippers trade for George. In response, LA sent a haul to Oklahoma City that featured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a future Kia NBA MVP finalist. Following that, Kawhi became a free agent, providing the Clippers with two two-way All-Stars. After Chris Paul and Blake Griffin’s Lob City was dismantled, it immediately gave the Clippers a new identity.
However, Kawhi’s and George’s ailments have continuously destroyed their partnership; this spring, Kawhi was once again unable to finish the season, ending yet another promising run. One or both of the Clippers’ studs were sidelined at the end of the previous four seasons.
The Western Conference Finals in 2021 was as far as the two could go with the Clippers, and LA’s chances of going farther were destroyed by a knee injury sustained by Kawhi during those playoffs.
Because of long-term salary cap issues, the franchise was hesitant to offer George a four-year contract. However, Kawhi inked a three-year, $150 million agreement in January of last year. George, an All-Star for the ninth time, averaged 22.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game last season while shooting a career-best 41% from outside the arc.
That fourth year, he believed he earned. George also turned down his $48 million option year, left in free agency, and moved to the East when it wasn’t granted.
When given the opportunity to talk about the Clippers or George during a media briefing on Sunday, Kawhi, who is also a member of Team USA, declined. In contrast, Curry took the time to talk about Thompson.
“I’m not discussing any of that,” he declared.
Ten minutes later, he sneaked back into the press briefing area to provide an explanation:
“I just wanted to let everyone know that PG leaving doesn’t bother me.”