It’s safe to say there’s still love between the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson.
After 11 seasons in the Bay area, the four-time champion agreed to leave and join the Dallas Mavericks on a reported three-year, $50 million contract.
It required a multi-team sign-and-trade to facilitate the deal, and although full details haven’t been reported, the Mavericks will send at least two second-rounders to the Warriors, with Josh Green heading to the Charlotte Hornets as well.
Thompson, 34, leaves a lasting legacy in Golden State — having formed one-half of the “Splash Bros” with Steph Curry, wreaking havoc on the league as two of the greatest shooters in league history.
Which is why the Warriors wasted no time letting the former 11th overall pick in 2011 know how much he’ll be celebrated by the organization moving forward.
“We can’t overstate Klay Thompson’s incredible and legendary contributions with the Warriors,” the team said in a statement. “Klay’s legacy will live on forever and we look forward to the day we can retire his (No.) 11 jersey at Chase Center, where he will join a host of Warriors immortals.”
As the five-time All-Star joins another NBA franchise for the first time in his career, he leaves the Warriors as one of their longest-tenured stars. Thompson sits second in franchise history for all-time three-pointers made (2,481), fourth in games (793) and minutes played (despite missing two seasons for an ACL and Achilles injury), and sixth in total points (15,531).
And aside from reaching ultimate heights with Golden State, like hitting a playoff record 11 threes in Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals, Thompson achieved plenty for all NBA fans to appreciate.
He owns the record for most triples made in a single game (14) and points in a quarter (37).
After accomplishing so much with the franchise, it may raise eyebrows that the franchise icon is leaving. But for him, it was about competing for a title and having a prominent role in that pursuit. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Thompson had four-year deals, for more money, on the table but ultimately opted for the Mavericks — fresh off a Finals run — in hopes of securing a fifth ring.
His role in Golden State was in flux throughout his final season in the Bay, highlighted by being relegated to the bench in February. Thompson finished the season averaging 17.9 points, his fewest since his sophomore campaign.
Despite the bumpy exit to an otherwise picturesque tenure, the Warriors “thank Klay for his contributions and wish him the best as another chapter of his journey is written.”
When his jersey and running mates Curry and Draymond Green eventually go up in the rafters, they’ll join just seven others hanging up at the Chase Center. The trio accounted for 518 regular season wins, the sixth most all-time, and their 98 post-season victories rank third.
