Report: Klay Thompson believed he was ‘nearly the same player’ he was prior to injury

Klay Thompson spent the first 13 seasons of his NBA career as a member of the Golden State Warriors. While he appeared destined to retire with the franchise, that will not be the case. The five-time All-Star signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks earlier this month.

Thompson and the Warriors reportedly disagreed about his level of play upon his return after missing two seasons due to injury. Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe wrote:

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.

Thompson felt he should have been rewarded with a contract to last for the remainder of his career. The Warriors offered him a two-year, $48 million extension he rejected because of the money and the length. [h/t The Boston Globe]

Thompson missed the 2019-20 after tearing his ACL in the previous NBA Finals. He missed the following season after tearing his Achilles in an offseason pickup game. While he helped lead Golden State to a title upon returning to action, they failed to recapture the same success the past two seasons.

The four-time champion averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game, while shooting 43.2% from the field, 38.7% from three-point range and 92.7% from the free-throw line. It marked his lowest scoring output since his second season in the league.

Klay Thompson to honor Reggie Miller with new number

Mar 18, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) takes a three-point shot against the New York Knicks during the second half at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Klay Thompson has worn the #11 throughout his 13-year NBA career. The five-time All-Star will be sporting a new number with the Dallas Mavericks as that number belongs to Kyrie Irving. After choosing #31, he explained his decision to honor Reggie Miller at his introductory press conference.

Speaking to the media, Thompson stated:

I watched so much footage of Reggie coming off screens as a teenager, especially his ability to make game-winning shots. I mean, that is the most inspiring thing to see as a shooter because he had no fear. Whether he made or missed the shot, he was going to live and die by it.

That’s how I modeled my game after just being able to space the floor and you can’t leave me open like Reggie. That was an inspiration for me, as well. I thought I’d have a chance to pass him in threes made so that would be a cool way to honor someone who really paved the way for a shooter like me.

Thompson appears destined to pass Reggie Miller for fifth all-time in three-pointers made next season. He trails the long-time Indiana Pacers star by just 79 three-pointers made.

Klay Thompson first shouted out Jason Terry when talking about his decision to wear No. 31 w/ the Mavericks.

And then got into this about @ReggieMillerTNT, who's about 80 made three-pointers ahead of him in 5th on the all-time list. #MFFL pic.twitter.com/ll72xXoCI4

— Adam Rossow (@AdamJRossow) July 9, 2024

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