Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently addressed the team’s outlook following the departure of long-time shooting guard Klay Thompson. Thompson, who signed with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, left a significant gap in the Warriors’ roster after spending over a decade in Golden State.
Kerr expressed optimism about the team’s ability to transition smoothly, citing the addition of Buddy Hield as a key reason. The Warriors acquired Hield in the offseason, and Kerr believes that his shooting skillset will help replicate much of what Thompson brought to the team.
“One of the reasons we are excited to get Buddy Hield is because we will run some of the same stuff that we ran for Klay for Buddy,” Kerr said, via Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. He emphasized that Hield’s perimeter shooting will allow Draymond Green and Stephen Curry to find him in similar spots on the court, ensuring the team’s offensive flow remains consistent.
Hield, known for his sharpshooting, averaged 12.1 points per game last season, shooting 43.6% from the field and 38.6% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor fits well into the Warriors’ offensive system, which has relied heavily on spacing and perimeter shooting over the years.
While Kerr is confident about the on-court transition, he acknowledged that the emotional impact of losing Thompson, a cornerstone of the Warriors’ dynasty, would be harder to overcome. “It’s more just the emotional void of Klay being gone after being so close with him and going through so much with him. That part is really sad. But you have to move on,” Kerr said.
Beyond Hield, the Warriors made other key offseason acquisitions to bolster their lineup. Kerr highlighted the signings of De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson, praising their versatility and basketball IQ. “There’s a reason we targeted them too. They fit any lineup, such smart, tough players that they’re easy to play with,” Kerr stated.
Thompson’s departure marks the end of an era for Golden State. A five-time NBA All-Star, Thompson was a vital part of the Warriors’ four championship runs and is widely regarded as one of the best shooters in NBA history. Despite multiple injuries that sidelined him for the 2019-2021 seasons, Thompson made a successful return and contributed to the Warriors’ 2022 NBA Championship.
However, Kerr’s focus is now on the future. With Curry, Green, and the newly added pieces, Kerr is confident that the team remains competitive. “I don’t anticipate a difficult transition basketball-wise,” Kerr reiterated.