Janice R. Andrews
In Golden State, an era is coming to an end. Now a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Klay Thompson is a sharpshooting winger who won four championships with the Warriors and was instrumental in the 3-point revolution in the NBA with Stephen Curry. On Monday, Thompson accepted a $50 million sign-and-trade contract that would last three years, which dramatically changed the NBA landscape.
Curry sent an emotional message to his 13-year teammate on Instagram on Tuesday. “I’m going to miss you,” wrote Curry. We may not complete the voyage together, but what we accomplished will never be repeated. I’ve had the best run with you and [Draymond Green] in my memory. altered the entire Bay Area. altered the gameplay of the game. In the center of it all is Killa Klay. I’m grateful for everything, my brother. Go have fun doing what you do and playing basketball. My man, Splash Bros 4 Life.”
Curry and Thompson indeed changed the game together. In 2011, Thompson became a member of the Warriors during Curry’s third season, and as a rookie, he shot 41.4% on 6.8 3-point attempts a game. In comparison, Curry averaged two more 3-pointers per game during this current campaign than he did throughout any of his previous three seasons. The Warriors’ 3-point shooting output took off after that, sparking a dynasty that lasted eight seasons and produced four NBA titles.
Thompson established himself as one-half of the best shooting backcourt in basketball history over his 11 active seasons, averaging an amazing 41.3% on 7.6 3-pointers a game. He will now take his shooting prowess to the Dallas Mavericks, a rival team in the Western Conference.
Thompson saw both incredible highs and heartbreaking lows throughout his time with the Warriors. During Golden State’s championship run, he was selected to five consecutive All-Star teams. But serious leg injuries wrecked his career, causing him to miss most of 2019–22 and back-to-back seasons. His reappearance in the court was nothing short of miraculous, despite these hurdles. Thompson’s perseverance and commitment helped him to overcome an Achilles rupture and an ACL tear, and he went on to be an important player for the Warriors in their 2022 championship run, averaging 20.4 points per game and shooting 38.5% from three-point range.
However, his connection with the team has soured recently, thus Monday’s departure was unavoidable. Thompson’s search for a new residence was only a matter of time. The Warriors declared that his No. 11 jersey would be retired in San Francisco in recognition of his enormous accomplishments. With Thompson now on the other side of the court from the Warriors, this retirement ceremony will have to wait.
Even as Thompson starts this new chapter with the Mavericks, the Splash Brothers’ legend will never fade. In addition to bringing titles to the Bay Area, Curry, and Thompson’s collaboration transformed basketball by highlighting the significance of the 3-point shot and encouraging a new generation of players to do the same. Even if their time together on the court is over, their partnership will continue to influence for years to come.
