What number will Klay Thompson wear for the Dallas Mavericks?
After spending his first 13 years in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson will have a new environment with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs ruled the Western Conference and lost in five games against the reigning champions Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Along with a fresh career restart with the Mavericks, Thompson will be ending his use of his iconic No. 11 jersey, changing it to No. 31 in Dallas, the team revealed on social media.
Former NBA Finals rival Kyrie Irving dons the No. 11 jersey in the Mavericks, leaving Thompson with no choice but to find a new number for his 12th season in the NBA.
The No. 31 jersey has a rich legacy with the Mavericks, as it had been worn by legendary guards Nick Van Exel and Jason Terry.
Terry was one of the key players in the Mavericks' only NBA title yet, helping franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki win the 2011 NBA Finals versus the revered big three of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat.
Terry also won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2009. Van Exel, meanwhile, was a former All-Star but was mostly remembered during his days with the LA Lakers.
Klay Thompson has never worn jersey No. 31 before, as he has only worn No. 1 in his college days at Washington State before reverting to No. 11 when he was drafted in 2011 by the Warriors.
Klay Thompson’s sign-and-trade deal headlines first six-team deal in NBA history
A franchise legend in the Golden State, Klay Thompson chose a new path in his career when he agreed a sign-and-trade that brought him from the Bay Area to Dallas. He took a three-year, $50 million deal to join the Mavericks and assemble a big three alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
For the sign-and-trade deal to be completed, though, six teams had to connive, including the Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets.
To summarize the six-team mega deal, the Mavericks got Thompson and a future second-round pick. The Warriors got Kyle Anderson via sign-and-trade and Buddy Hield via sign-and-trade.
The Hornets picked up Josh Green, Reggie Jackson and two Nuggets’ second-round picks. The Timberwolves took two second-round picks and cash. The 76ers got a second-round pick while the Nuggets took some cash.
It was the first-ever six-team deal in NBA history, according to the Mavericks’ PR.
Klay Thompson, who has won four NBA titles with the Warriors, proved he can still be a viable player last season, averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game on 38.7% shooting.
However, Thompson left a sour taste in his final game with the Warriors, scoring zero points in their elimination game in the play-in tournament.