Klay Thompson Posts Farewell Message to Warriors, Fans

Klay Thompson posted a farewell message on Instagram to the Golden State Warriors and their fans on Friday, calling his 13 NBA seasons with the franchise “the best times of my life.”

Five-time All-Star guard Klay Thompson helped lead the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships

Thompson, 34, ended the era in Golden State on Monday, when he agreed to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. He spent his entire career with the Warriors, helping them win four NBA championships.

“Oh Bay Area, there are not enough words and images to convey how I really feel about y’all,” he wrote in an Instagram post Friday. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for the best times of my life. It was such an honor to put that Dubs jersey on from day 1.

“I really just wanted to be the best I could be and help bring as many championships as possible to the region. The best part was not the rings though, it was the friendships I made that will last a lifetime. Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened.”

Thompson’s relationship with the Warriors began to deteriorate last season over contract discussions and his looming free agency. Coach Steve Kerr’s decision to move him to a bench role in late February may have led to his departure.

However, in Golden State’s 140-137 win over the Utah Jazz on Feb. 15, Thompson came off the bench for the first time since his rookie season to knock down seven 3-pointers and score a season-high 35 points.

Thompson was a reserve for the first time since March 11, 2012, during his rookie season.

“You can do two things: You can pout or you can go out there and respond,” said Thompson, after he became the sixth Warriors player to reach 15,000 career points. “I thought I did the latter very well tonight.”

Thompson averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 793 career games across 11 seasons with Golden State

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Klay Thompson had started 727 straight games, the fourth-longest active streak in the NBA, trailing only DeMar DeRozan, Damian Lillard, and Stephen Curry.

Despite the 11-year veteran putting up 17 of Golden State’s 84 first-half points on Feb. 15, it was still a disappointing campaign overall. Thompson averaged just 17.9 points per game last season, his lowest since 2012-13.

In 793 career games (742 starts) with the Warriors, he averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 32.6 minutes per game while shooting 45.3% from the field and 41.3% from 3-point range.

Thompson also ranks sixth on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 15,531 points — trailing Curry (23,668), Wilt Chamberlain (17,783), Rick Barry (16,447), Paul Arizin (16,266), and Chris Mullin (16,235).

The Warriors wished Thompson well earlier this week, saying that they look forward to retiring his No. 11 jersey.

Curry, his fellow Splash Brother, paid tribute to him with a message on Instagram.

“Gonna miss you,” Curry wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “Even though we won’t finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. Couldn’t have imagined a better run with you and [Draymond Green].

“Changed the whole Bay Area. Changed the way the game is played. Killa Klay at the center of it all. Thank you for everything bro. Go enjoy playing basketball and doing what you do. Splash Bros 4 life my guy.”