It’s protected to say there’s nonetheless love between the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson.
After 11 seasons within the Bay space, the four-time champion agreed to depart and be a part of the Dallas Mavericks on a reported three-year, $50 million contract.
It required a multi-team sign-and-trade to facilitate the deal, and though full particulars haven’t been reported, the Mavericks will ship no less than two second-rounders to the Warriors, with Josh Inexperienced heading to the Charlotte Hornets as nicely.
Thompson, 34, leaves an enduring legacy in Golden State — having fashioned one-half of the “Splash Bros” with Steph Curry, wreaking havoc on the league as two of the best shooters in league historical past.
Which is why the Warriors wasted no time letting the previous eleventh total choose in 2011 know the way a lot he’ll be celebrated by the group shifting ahead.
“We will’t overstate Klay Thompson’s unimaginable and legendary contributions with the Warriors,” the workforce stated in a press release. “Klay’s legacy will dwell on eternally and we sit up for the day we are able to retire his (No.) 11 jersey at Chase Heart, the place he’ll be a part of a number of Warriors immortals.”
Because the five-time All-Star joins one other NBA franchise for the primary time in his profession, he leaves the Warriors as one in every of their longest-tenured stars. Thompson sits second in franchise historical past for all-time three-pointers made (2,481), fourth in video games (793) and minutes performed (regardless of lacking two seasons for an ACL and Achilles damage), and sixth in complete factors (15,531).
And apart from reaching final heights with Golden State, like hitting a playoff file 11 threes in Recreation 6 of the 2016 Western Convention Finals, Thompson achieved lots for all NBA followers to understand.
He owns the file for many triples made in a single sport (14) and factors in 1 / 4 (37).
After conducting a lot with the franchise, it might elevate eyebrows that the franchise icon is leaving. However for him, it was about competing for a title and having a distinguished position in that pursuit. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Thompson had four-year offers, for extra money, on the desk however in the end opted for the Mavericks — contemporary off a Finals run — in hopes of securing a fifth ring.
His position in Golden State was in flux all through his ultimate season within the Bay, highlighted by being relegated to the bench in February. Thompson completed the season averaging 17.9 factors, his fewest since his sophomore marketing campaign.
Regardless of the bumpy exit to an in any other case picturesque tenure, the Warriors “thank Klay for his contributions and need him the very best as one other chapter of his journey is written.”
When his jersey and operating mates Curry and Draymond Inexperienced ultimately go up within the rafters, they’ll be a part of simply seven others hanging up on the Chase Heart. The trio accounted for 518 common season wins, the sixth most all-time, and their 98 post-season victories rank third.
