Klay Thompson On Leaving Warriors For Mavericks: ‘Sometimes Change Can Stir Greatness’

Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson left the Golden State Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, ending his legendary 13-year run with the Warriors. 

One of the greatest shooters in NBA history, Thompson told reporters he needed a change of scenery. 

“Whether you play basketball or work in the corporate world or whatever industry, sometimes change can stir greatness and a new change of scenery can do wonders,” Thompson said. “Sometimes breakups are necessary to do what’s right. I’m not the first athlete in the NBA to go do this. I grew up in Portland, so I remember when Scottie Pippen came to the Blazers, that was one of the best days of my life.”

Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Warriors while shooting 43.2% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc and 92.7% from the free-throw line.

The Warriors drafted Thompson with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Thompson made five All-Star teams, two All-NBA teams and one All-Defensive team with the Warriors. He helped the franchise win four championships.

Thompson has career averages of 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks. He turns 35 next season.

“I look forward to being rejuvenated here, Thompson said. “There’s a lot of good basketball left in the tank.”

The Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals in five games. Dallas now has a “Big 3” of Thompson, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. 

According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, Irving and Dallas head coach Jason Kidd heavily recruited Thompson to the Mavericks. 

“Thompson had talked on the phone and texted routinely with Irving, his old rival from those Warriors-Cavs finals matchups of yesteryear and an expert if ever there was one on the topic of rectifying a career amid a dimmer spotlight in Dallas,” Amick wrote. “He had talked on the phone with Mavs coach Jason Kidd, the Hall of Famer who won a title with the Mavericks in 2011 and who offered to cut his family vacation short to make the recruiting meeting.”