Steve Kerr Turns Heads With Brutally Honest Statement on Klay Thompson's Departure

Klay Thompson experienced a host of successes across his 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors and became a fan-favorite in the Bay Area, but Steve Kerr believes it was the right time for him to leave.

Thompson, who won four NBA titles since coming to the Warriors in 2011, left this offseason to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Though it was an emotional decision for Thompson, the Warriors coach said he believed it was the right one.

"I think it makes sense for him in his heart to get a different change of pace, change of location," Kerr said, via ESPN . "Get out of California, go play on a different team. It's what's right for him right now."

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Kerr admitted that the last few years had been difficult for Thompson, who suffered back-to-back major injuries that wiped out the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

Thompson returned to help lead the Warriors to a title in 2022, but saw a sharp downturn in play the last season and fell out of the starting lineup for the first time since his rookie year.

"That's really my job as a coach, is to help him," Kerr said. "I think that's really been the toughest thing for Klay, dealing with the injuries and the aftermath. Two years, to be out two straight years with career-threatening injuries. Prior to that Klay ... He didn't need a lot of counsel. The last couple of years, he's needed it because this has been so tough for him. I'm amazed at his ability to come back from those injuries, to help us win another championship, to play at the level he's played at."