The Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson’s three-year, $50 million sign-and-trade will take some time to adjust to. As fans, we’ll have to be patient. The NBA community should be patient. It will take a long time for the Golden State Warriors organization, including players, coaches, and others, to recover from Klay Thompson’s eight-year tenure with the team. During that time, they won four championships, advanced five times to the All-Star Game, scored 15,531 points (including 3,032 in the playoffs), and left an enduring legacy that will be honored with a statue and a jersey raised to the rafters.
Going to work without Klay may be strange for the Warriors family, but it’s likely simpler for them. Since they are the most familiar with Thompson, they are also the most suited to comprehend the move. You need go no farther than Steve Kerr, the head coach. Even though Kerr has been vocal about wanting Klay Thompson to stay with the Warriors for another season, he seemed to comprehend Klay’s decision to leave. Actually, Kerr seemed to agree with it, not simply comprehend it.
When asked about Thompson’s decision, Kerr told reporters at an Olympic pre-practice for Team USA, “I think it makes sense for him in his heart to get a different change of pace, change of location.” This was evidently the correct choice for Thompson. Rip yourself off that California team and play for another one. Currently, it’s the best course of action for him.
Kerr, who was obviously very effusive in his praise of Thompson, also showed a great deal of affection for his former player, saying things like, “We wish Klay well, but we love him and we’ll miss him,” and “Klay’s going to have a statue outside Chase someday, he’ll be beloved by his teammates, coaches and our fans forever.” On a 95.7 radio hit, Kerr restated those claims and added that, before his injuries, Thompson was a low-maintenance player. However, after recovering from ACL and Achilles tears, he struggled to deal with his diminished performance. Kerr concluded, “In the end, he really needed this career change and I think it’s going to be good for him.”
This appears to be Thompson’s best course of action as our understanding grows. While it does clarify things, it doesn’t make them enjoyable.
