Klay Thompson and Steve Kerr (Image Source: Getty Images)
After thirteen years with the Golden State Warriors, veteran Klay Thompson announced his departure. Alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the 5-time All-Star was considered a part of the unbeatable trio that secured four NBA titles together. As Thompson’s time with the Warriors came to an abrupt end, new information started to surface, revealing the complex and mixed feelings surrounding his departure.

Klay Thompson had a tough time with the Warriors due to injuries that kept him out for a few seasons. Recently, Coach Steve Kerr talked about the 34-year-old’s exit and admitted that Thompson needed to leave.

In an appearance on “Willard and Dibs,” the Warriors head coach said, “That changed after the two injuries….In his own mind and I think in the minds of everyone watching, he wasn’t the same guy as he was prior to the injuries. And Klay really struggled with that.”

But, Klay felt his post-injury performance matched his pre-injury days, making him deserving of a long-term contract like Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins. However, the Warriors reportedly had a different view on making such a contract with Thompson.

Bostonglobe reported, “More information is coming out about why Klay Thompson left the Warriors for the Mavericks, and it seems both sides were at fault. Thompson, despite missing two full seasons with injuries, felt he was nearly the same player he was before and the Warriors didn’t agree. Thompson felt as if he should have been compensated with a four-year deal similar to Draymond Green’s and Andrew Wiggins’s, especially since neither has lived up to their contracts.”

Steve Kerr Expresses Gratitude to Klay Thompson for 13 Amazing Years

Klay Thompson begins a new chapter with the Dallas Mavericks, and his former coach, Steve Kerr, recently extended deep gratitude for Thompson’s contributions. Before focusing on coaching Team USA for the Olympics, Kerr claimed that the Warriors will “miss” the 34-year-old.

He said, “I just want to say thank you Klay Thompson – 13 incredible years, 10 of which I was there for what he did for the team, the organization for the Bay Area, for me personally, the relationship that we had, all the incredible success, but more importantly just going through it all together has been so meaningful, so amazing, and we’re going to miss Klay”