Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wanted Klay Thompson to end his career at the franchise but started to see signs during the 2023-24 campaign that the sharpshooter would leave the franchise this offseason.
“Yeah, there were signs,” Kerr told The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami on the latest episode of The TK Show (h/t Taylor Wirth of NBC Sports).
“Obviously, none of us knew what would happen, we all wanted him to stay. I wanted Klay to be a Warrior for life, it felt like the right thing. But you never really know what the right thing is for someone else, only that person knows. And I think by the end of the year, I think Klay knew for his own sake that he wanted to leave.
“I’m happy for him, I think this will be a great move. He’s going to play for a great team, two high-level creators (Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving), he should get a lot of open shots. I think sometimes a career change, a late-career change can refresh and recharge you.”
Thompson ended up joining the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million sign-and-trade contract and will look to help the reigning Western Conference champions take the next step by connecting on those outside shots created by defenses collapsing on Dončić and Irving.
Still, it will be strange to see Thompson in another uniform.
Golden State selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, and he was with the team for the following 13 seasons. Not only was he with the team, he helped build it into a modern-day dynasty that won four championships.
He was the other half of the Splash Brothers backcourt alongside Stephen Curry and was one of the Warriors’ best defenders before ACL and Achilles tears cost him the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns and some of his explosiveness and lateral quickness when he returned.
Kerr believes a fresh start could help him move past those injuries.
“I’m hoping Klay can move on from the injuries psychologically and emotionally, which I think he struggled to do here, frankly,” the coach said.
“So I think a fresh start is great for him.”
Dallas likely won’t ask him to do too much of the heavy lifting given the presence of Dončić and Irving. Instead, he will be expected to connect on his open outside looks and provide veteran leadership for a team with realistic title aspirations.
And whatever happens with the Mavericks will not change his status as a Warriors legend. The Golden State fans will surely welcome him back with open arms when Dallas comes to town on Nov. 12 even if he ultimately didn’t remain a Warrior for life.
