Klay Thompson bid farewell to the Bay Area and Golden State fans as he announced his departure from the Warriors in free agency to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal. In an Instagram post addressed to his 17.1 million followers, Thompson shared a photo of himself holding the new No. 11 jersey he received after being drafted by the Warriors in 2011 as the 11th overall pick from Washington State. Expressing his gratitude, Thompson thanked the fans for the best times of his life and the honor of wearing the Dubs jersey since day one. He acknowledged the friendships made during his time with the team were more valuable than the championship rings.
The 34-year-old guard, who won four championships with the Warriors alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, faced a challenging period of over 2 1/2 years due to injuries to his left knee and right Achilles. Despite the setbacks, Thompson returned in January 2022, describing his recovery as one of the toughest endeavors he had ever faced. Curry, his Splash Brother, expressed his admiration and fondness for Thompson, stating that their partnership had left a lasting impact on the Bay Area and the basketball world.
Thompson, who once stated his desire to remain with the Warriors for his entire career, will now continue his journey with the Mavericks. Known for his love of boating and swimming in the bay, Thompson, affectionately known as “Captain Klay,” used Instagram to thank Golden State with hashtags such as #foureverchamps, #splashbros4life, and #oaklandforever. He expressed appreciation for the Warriors organization and encouraged fans to cherish the memories as he looks ahead to his future with the Mavericks. Thompson concluded his message with a hopeful tone, leaving the door open for a future reunion, signing off as “Sea captain out.”
