Klay Thompson recently held his first press conference since signing with the Dallas Mavericks during free agency, marking the end of his 13-season tenure with the Golden State Warriors.
The four-time champion was questioned about his feelings on leaving the Warriors after spending his entire career with the team.
“I was initially a bit disappointed,” Thompson shared on Tuesday. “But as time passed, I had the opportunity to reflect and recognize my accomplishments; no one can take away the championships I’ve won. Sometimes, parting ways is necessary for the greater good. I’m not the first NBA athlete to experience this.”
Following some challenging negotiations with the Warriors management, Klay expressed his eagerness for a fresh start with a new team.
“Joining this team feels like a rejuvenating experience,” Thompson expressed. “Feeling valued once again and knowing that I bring significant value excites me to hit the gym after this conference and start working on my game. There were moments last year when things were tough and lacked the joy I once felt. It’s refreshing to leave that behind and embrace this new opportunity with new teammates, in a new city. I am thrilled about it and fully intend to make the most of this chance.”
The 34-year-old emphasized that his primary focus is on winning.
“I’m not interested in breaking shooting records,” Klay stated. “My goal is to win at this stage. I’m willing to make sacrifices for the team, as long as we are playing winning basketball – that’s what truly matters.”
Thompson is set to play alongside Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic for the first time.
“I’ve always admired Kai’s game, and guarding him was a challenge,” Thompson admitted. “It feels good to be on his team this time around.”
He further explained, “With players like Luka and Kai on the court, it’s going to be difficult for defenses to focus solely on me as they could in the past. That aspect was also appealing to me.”
“I’m genuinely excited. I believe I can continue performing at a high level, whether it’s through sharing my knowledge or delivering big scoring performances. I remain confident in my ability to contribute significantly to this team and be a top player in this league,” Thompson concluded.
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