After learning that a “breakup” with the Golden State Warriors during an incredible 13-year run was in his best interests, Klay Thompson stated he has gone over his disappointment and is now focused on finding a new team with which to reignite his love of the game.
Thompson grinned the entire Tuesday press conference at the Dallas Mavericks practice court, when he was presented alongside Naji Marshall, a forward, and Quentin Grimes, a shooting guard, who were the team’s other offseason additions.
Thompson remarked, “Coming here is just such a fresh start.” “It just makes me motivated to go out there and even work out after this press conference and get shots up, feeling like I add great value again. Yes, there were difficult moments throughout the previous year, and things weren’t as happy as they had been.
It’s good to kind of move on and start over with a new bunch of guys to get to know, coworkers, and a whole new city. I’m going to make the most of this opportunity because it’s extremely great.”
As part of their commitment to honoring Thompson for a career marked by four NBA titles and five All-Star appearances as half of the “Splash Brothers” with Stephen Curry, the Warriors have decided to retire Thompson’s No. 11. At Team USA’s training camp this week, Curry and Steve Kerr, the coach of Golden State, expressed their deep regret for Thompson.
However, Thompson came to the realization that it was time to finish that chapter of his career after the Warriors, who had failed in their bid to sign and trade Paul George last month, did not prioritize contract discussions for him.
Thompson made the decision to come to Dallas after meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Mavericks during the free agency period. He thought he could help the Mavs get “over the hump” following their run to the NBA Finals this season.
“I’m excited to be refreshed here — I have a lot of quality basketball left in me,” Thompson stated after agreeing to a $50 million, three-year deal with the Mavs.
After missing two and a half seasons of his peak because of an ACL tear sustained in the 2019 Finals and an Achilles rupture sustained during the 2020 summer, Thompson, 34, has not been an All-Star. Nevertheless, with an average of 17.9 points per game and a high volume of 38.7% 3-point shooting from beyond the arc last season, he is still one of the league’s top 3-point threats.
The Mavs see Thompson as a great addition to their starting lineup, which includes Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
“At this point in my career, I mean, you still can’t leave me open,” Thompson stated.
Thompson will wear No. 31 for the Mavs, his well-known Irving jersey number from Dallas. Although Thompson noted that No. 31 was Jason Terry’s number when the Mavs won the title, his main reason for selecting it is to pay tribute to Reggie Miller, who inspired him as a child. To surpass Miller for fifth place on the career list, Thompson has to make 80 3-pointers.
Playing alongside Doncic and Irving, his classmate in the 2011 draft and two-time Team USA member who assisted in recruiting him to Dallas, Thompson is excited about the prospect of receiving plenty of open looks.
“I don’t think you can stick to me as much as you could in the past with guys like Luka and Kai out there,” Thompson stated. That, too, drew my attention greatly.
“I’m merely thrilled. I still believe I am capable of doing what I have been able to do; all I need to focus on is getting into the greatest physical condition possible. I am confident that my knowledge and big scoring nights will be valuable to this club. I just have faith that I can play in this league at a very high level.”