Fans always have a difficult time seeing their favorite players skip town for a new team, new beginning or more money. And even more so when their favorite player is a four-time NBA champion such as Klay Thompson.
Thompson was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He went on to help them capture four titles on his way to becoming known as one of the greatest shooters in the history of the game, alongside Stephen Curry, as the two formed the “Splash Brothers” duo.
A sour taste was left in fans’ mouths as Thompson left the Bay for the South, joining the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract via a six-team sign and trade on July 6, 2024.
And although Thompson has since played games at Chase Center as a visitor, he still routinely received cheers from the fans in San Francisco proving he’s beloved in the Bay.
So when a fan met Thompson for an autograph signing event, the guy could only speak his mind and ask whether the 36-year-old wanted to return to the Warriors.
“Are you going to go back to the Warriors anytime?” a fan asked Thompson.
Thompson gave an honest reply that’s got rumor mills buzzing.
“Shoot I don’t know,” Thompson said. “I got one year on my deal. It’d be nice to end it in Golden State.”
On one hand Thompson seemed sincere. But sometimes, you have to give the fans what they want to hear so you’re not clipped to social media in a character-smearing fashion.
So if Thompson wants to go back home to where his career started would be a conversation starter. The Mavericks could look to move on from Thompson as they try to get younger.
A reunion to close Thompson’s career is a storybook ending that Warriors fans desperately desire, whether or not they can land LeBron James. And for Thompson, it could be the closure he needs.
In his 13-year career, Thompson has averaged 18.6 points on 44.8% field goal, 40.9% 3-pointers and 85.8% free throw shooting splits. He became a five-time All-Star with Golden State and holds two NBA regular season records: most points scored in a quarter (37) and most three-pointers made in a game (14).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Klay Thompson fan interaction sparks rumors of Golden State Warriors reunion
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