With the departure of Klay Thompson from the Warriors , it appears there had been trouble in paradise for a long time. Jason Dumas, a Warriors reporter, noted on 95.7 The Game radio show that Klay's attitude problems, while not as pronounced as Draymond Green's, were causing discomfort in the locker room.
“The last three years, I know Draymond has punched people and got himself suspended… Klay has been equally as exhausting behind the scenes. It's not as loud. It's not as loud because it's not you stomping on someone’s chest."
"If he's slamming stuff on the bench and sulking, and doing that on the court, how do you think it is in practice? How do you think it is in the locker room? It has been uncomfortable. It has. It just doesn't come out as loudly as Draymond Green."
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Klay Thompson's frustration had been well-documented. However, most of the reported frustration has been with regard to the franchise not being willing to pay him what he wanted to stay with the Warriors. Klay felt disrespected by the Warriors' contract offer to him .
On top of that, his declining role in the Warriors also seemed to upset him. The Warriors fan base grew frustrated with the former All-Star, and this backlash from the fanbase could have played a role in his exit.
Thompson agreed to a sign-and-trade move to the Dallas Mavericks, signing a three-year, $50 million contract to join the Western Conference champions. Thompson will begin a new phase of his career with the Mavericks this year.
Klay Thompson Wanted His Respect
Former NBA champion Richard Jefferson, who played against Klay Thompson in the NBA Finals before, spoke today about the Warriors' disrespecting Klay. He told a story of Klay sharing his frustration about not being paid by the Warriors on Christmas day. RJ noted that Thompson has a right to be upset.
“I’ve never shared this out of respect for Klay. I’m getting off the elevator on Christmas Day. This is on Christmas Day of this past year. I get off the elevator and I see Klay. ‘Klay, what’s up? Hey man, keep your mental right’. He’s like ‘Man, tell them to pay me my money’…"
"On Christmas Day, a guy that had won four championships and I don’t give a damn what anybody says, how much money they gave him over the years. Because he turned that franchise around."
"That franchise is worth billions of dollars, not just because of Steph, but also because of Klay. They changed the game. It wasn’t just Steph changing the game, it was Steph and Klay in that backcourt. He has a right to be mad.”
With the Warriors no longer an option, Klay looked elsewhere to his future. A lot of teams tried vying for Klay's services.
Klay's father, Mychal Thompson, was reportedly hoping his son would sign with the Lakers . Mychal Thompson was a star for the Lakers and won two NBA championships with them, so it should come as no surprise that Klay's father wanted him to join the franchise where he found the most success.
Thompson, despite a difficult season, is still a solid player for an NBA team. Last season, Thompson played 77 games and averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
With the Mavericks needing some consistent scoring and defense to build around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Thompson pick-up should fit their requirements, and allow them to contend well in the Western Conference.
Related: Lakers Wanted To Trade D'Angelo Russell In A Deal For Klay Thompson But Warriors Weren't Interested
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