In a move that stunned NBA fans, the Golden State Warriors have officially parted ways with long-time star Klay Thompson. The 34-year-old sharpshooter has signed a 3-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, marking the end of an era for the Warriors.
Former Warriors head coach Mark Jackson, who coached Thompson from 2011 to 2014, recently shared his thoughts on the departure during an appearance on “SWAYS UNIVERSE.” Jackson expressed mixed emotions, saying, “In an ideal world, Klay Thompson finishes his career with the Golden State Warriors. But you know how this business is. Loyalty doesn’t always go both ways, and that’s not a knock on the Warriors—it’s just the nature of sports.”
Jackson acknowledged that while it’s sad to see Thompson leave, it might have been time for a change. “Klay’s going to be fine, and it’s a great pickup for the Mavericks. I’m proud of him, both as a coach and as a friend.”
The Mavericks believe Thompson is the missing piece to their championship puzzle. After falling to the Boston Celtics in last year’s NBA Finals, Dallas lacked the perimeter shooting needed to compete at the highest level. Thompson, despite a slightly down year averaging 17.9 points per game and shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc, remains one of the NBA’s all-time great shooters, ranking sixth in made three-pointers.
Paired with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Thompson’s presence on the floor will create more space and opportunities for the Mavericks’ dynamic duo, giving the team hope of securing an NBA title. Though it will be strange to see him in a different jersey, Thompson’s contributions to the Warriors will always be remembered.
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