This summer marked the end of an era as Klay Thompson left the Golden State Warriors after he was unable to agree on a new contract with the team.
Thompson, a future Hall of Famer, was involved in a massive sign-and-trade deal that sent him to the Dallas Mavericks, where he will join forces with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
While it will be strange for fans to see Thompson in a different jersey, he expressed a sense of purpose in his decision to move on.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday after being introduced by the Mavericks, Thompson shared his thoughts on the transition.
“Sometimes, breakups are necessary to do what’s right, and I’m not the first athlete in the NBA to go through this.
Thompson said, reflecting on the end of his long tenure with the Warriors.
Thompson drew a parallel to his childhood, recalling, “I did grow up in Portland, and I remember when Scottie Pippen came to the Blazers, that was, like, the biggest day of my life.
And I’m not saying I’m Scottie, but they were right there, against the Lakers, almost won a chip.”
He continued, “I take a lot of inspiration from past athletes and how their careers might have gone astray when they either left a team or joined a new team, and some guys thrive.
And I look forward to just kind of being rejuvenated here. A lot of good basketball left in the tank.”
