Klay Thompson believed he was the same player after injuries, but the Golden State Warriors disagreed.
After failing to reach a new contract agreement with the Warriors, Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
This move ended Thompson’s 13-year tenure with Golden State, which included a two-year absence due to injuries.
A new report suggests that Thompson viewed himself as nearly the same player he was before the injuries, while the Warriors held a different opinion.
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe wrote, “Thompson, despite missing two full seasons with injuries, felt he was nearly the same player he was before and the Warriors didn’t agree.” This disagreement contributed to Thompson’s decision to leave the Warriors.
Thompson wanted a contract similar to those of Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, who received four-year deals. He felt that he should have been compensated similarly, especially since he believed neither Green nor Wiggins lived up to their contracts.
This past season, the 34-year-old sharpshooter averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 29.7 minutes per game. Thompson’s performance indicated that he still had significant contributions to make on the court.
Thompson’s departure marks a significant shift for both him and the Warriors. The team now faces the challenge of adjusting without one of its long-time key players. For Thompson, the move to the Mavericks represents a new chapter in his career.
As Thompson begins his tenure with the Mavericks, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to his new team and how his performance compares to his years with the Warriors.
