Swingman Klay Thompson agreed to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, bringing an end to his 13-year run with the Golden State Warriors' organization.
Read more: Klay Thompson to Join West Rival Following Multi-Team Sign-and-Trade
Thompson, the other half to Stephen Curry in the "Splash Brothers" duo, was one of the league's best shooters during his time in Golden State, and helped propel them to four NBA championship in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
Thompson was one of the main figures in the Warriors' dynasty alongside Curry and Draymond Green, and felt like someone who would wear the same jersey for his entire career. However, following a seemingly big disparity in contract negotiations and his role, Thompson and the Warriors have finally parted ways.
On Monday night, the Warriors released a statement following Thompson's soon-to-be-official departure from Golden State — and made a big announcement.
"We can't overstate Klay Thompson's incredible and legendary contributions with the Warriors during his 13 years with the team, highlighted by four (4) NBA Championships, six (6) trips to the NBA Finals, five (5) NBA All-Star Game appearances and several NBA records, including the most points ever scored in a quarter in NBA history (37) and the most 3-point field goals in a game (14)," the Warriors wrote in a statement released on the team's public relations account on X.
"The amount of joy and happiness that Klay provided Warriors fans, Bay Area natives and Dub Nation supporters all around the world has been immense and cannot be minimized. His penchant for delivering in pressurized situations on the biggest stage, including many Game 6 heroics, has helped define a career. Klay's legacy will live on forever and we look forward to the day we can retire his #11 jersey at Chase Center, where he will join a host of Warriors immortals, including those who helped shape this recent dynasty himself included," Golden State's PR team continued.
"We thank Klay for his contributions and wish him the best as another chapter in his journey is written," the statement noted.
Following the thank you, the Warriors announced they'll be retiring Thompson's No. 11 jersey following his retirement from the NBA. Thompson's jersey will likely be retired alongside those of Curry and Green, forever immortalizing the greatest trio in Warriors franchise history.
The Warriors will now have to experience life without one of their key players from the last decade-plus, and will look to replace his scoring and shooting in free agency. They've already made one signing since news broke of Thompson's deal with Dallas — and they reportedly have their eyes on a big trade, too.
Read more: Warriors Add Veteran Guard Following Klay Thompson Departure: Report
About the writer
Noah Camras graduated from USC in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and minor in Sports Media Studies. He's worked ... Read more
