Warriors Adjusting, Admit It’s Weird Not Having Klay Thompson Around

When you’re the modern-day Warriors, you’re known for four things — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr. Oh, and four NBA titles.

Now one of those names is missing, and as Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN wrote in an excellent piece, it’s taking some adjustment. That name, of course, belongs to Thompson — who left in free agency (or officially, a sign-and-trade) for the Mavericks. 

Frankly, it’s just weird for everyone associated with Golden State. Youngmisuk offered great reporting and detail on how it all went down and how everyone feels about it today. The story goes like this:

Green was driving his family to his daughter’s school assembly on a sunny California day in June when his phone lit up. Thompson was calling. When Green saw that name, he knew something was up.

Thompson rambled on for a few minutes — a rare thing for a man of few words — before he got to the point. Green already knew. He turned to his wife, Hazel, sitting in the passenger seat. “He’s gone,” Green told her before Klay even said it. And just like that, Thompson revealed he was leaving Golden State.

“Texas,” Thompson said. The Mavericks.

After over a decade together — four championships, six Finals appearances, and an NBA dynasty — Thompson was heading to Dallas. The Splash Brothers were no more.

It’s hard to blame Thompson. After two devastating injuries, and a frustrating end with the Warriors, he wanted a fresh start. Green, who had pondered his own future the previous offseason before signing a four-year extension, understood. He respected Thompson’s decision, even if it stung.

But while Green was ready to accept the next chapter, Curry wasn’t. Thompson called Curry to break the news, and while Curry listened, he wasn’t giving up hope. He still believed there was a chance to keep the band together.

“Put it this way,” Curry said. “He can ask, but I don’t got to listen.”

Fast forward to Warriors training camp this fall, and the reality of Thompson’s absence was sinking in. After 12 years and countless big shots, life without Thompson was about to begin. Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, and some of the Warriors’ younger guys like Jonathan Kuminga were now expected to step up. But there’s no replacing a player like Thompson.

Green felt it. When he walked into the Warriors’ locker room at the Chase Center and saw new names on Thompson’s old locker, it hit him. “Oh s—,” Green said. “This is real.”

Thompson’s departure signals the end of an era. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has faith in the new pieces the team has added, but even he admits that replacing Klay isn’t just about basketball.

“It’s more the emotional void,” Kerr said. “After being so close with him, going through so much together. That part is really sad. But you have to move on.”

And move on the Warriors will. They acquired Hield in a sign-and-trade that sent Thompson to Dallas, hoping he can provide some of the perimeter shooting Thompson was known for. They also brought in a versatile guard in Melton and are banking on young guys like Kuminga, Moses Moody, and rookie Brandin Podziemski to take on bigger roles.

As for Thompson, his first game back at the Chase Center in a Mavericks uniform is circled on everyone’s calendar. November 12. The Warriors plan to honor him, but once that ball tips, it’s back to NBA business.

Curry and Green know it’ll be emotional. They’ve shared the floor with Thompson for more than a decade.

“You develop that chemistry over so many years and battles,” Curry said. “It’s very rare in this league to have a core like that stay together.”

But when the Mavericks come to town? Green’s ready for battle. “I’m going to run through his chest,” he said with a smile. That’s just the way it is.

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