In Pictures: Klay Thompson hits the court for the first time as a Dallas Maverick
Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors failing to reach an agreement is one of the offseason’s biggest stories. Thompson, who played his first 13 seasons with the Dubs, agreed to a sign-and-trade that sent him to the Dallas Mavericks. The four-time champ will form a Big Three with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving under coach Jason Kidd.
Thompson reportedly signed a three-year, $50 million deal to take his talents out of the Bay Area. Many will be interested to see how he will play for a new city in a new system. Mavericks fans, meanwhile, can’t wait to watch him play for their team.
On Tuesday, Klay Thompson in the Dallas Mavericks' traditional bold and white colors finally came out:
Unsurprisingly, the clip showing Thompson featured him shooting jump shots. The five-time All-Star carved a name in basketball lore for his ability to hit drain shots from the perimeter. He is expected to boost the Mavericks in that area once the 2024-25 season opens.
Before Klay Thompson worked out in his new team’s practice facility, he was introduced to the press as a member of the Mavericks. Instead of the iconic No. 11 that he wore to four championships with the Golden State Warriors, he will be using No. 31.
Here’s what he had to say about the jersey change:
“I got my new threads. Number 31. Just like the JET (Jason Terry) who got a chip in this same number. That’s what I plan to do”.
Terry won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 playing alongside the legendary Dirk Nowitzki. Like Thompson, he played shooting guard, something that the former Splash Bro. noted in his introductory press conference.
Klay Thompson embraces the high expectations following the Mavericks’ NBA Finals appearance
Klay Thompson reportedly turned down the LA Lakers’ four-year, $80 million offer because he wanted to add to his championship haul. He likely saw the Dallas Mavericks, who made it to the 2024 NBA Finals, as his best way to accomplish that goal. It seems like those talks were right.
Here’s what Thompson had to say about the reason he is joining forces with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving:
“I think we’re set up for a great run and expectations are high and you gonna welcome that. … You wanna have that pressure. … I’m not really into breaking more shooting records, I just wanna win at this point.
Klay Thompson has a chip on his shoulder and is embracing the expectations. Basketball fans can’t wait to see him see action again, particularly when the Dallas Mavericks take on the Golden State Warriors.