DALLAS — Klay Thompson has taken off his Golden State jersey for the last time. And the Warriors say they're going to retire it to commemorate his time with them.
Thompson is moving on from the Warriors, with the four-time league champion agreeing to join the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks and change franchises for the first time in his 13-year NBA career, two people with knowledge of the decision said Monday.
ESPN and The Athletic first reported the multiteam deal which, as currently constructed, will be executed as the sign-and-trade of a three-year, $50 million contract involving the Warriors, Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets, said the people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been announced.
Without mentioning Dallas — by league rule, they technically cannot acknowledge any part of the trade yet — the Warriors released a statement in tribute to Thompson on Monday night, saying they ''can't overstate Klay Thompson's incredible and legendary contributions'' to the team and that ''the amount of joy and happiness that Klay provided Warriors fans ... cannot be minimized.''
''His penchant for delivering in pressurized situations on the biggest stage, including many Game 6 heroics, has helped define a career,'' the Warriors said. ''Klay's legacy will live on forever and we look forward to the day we can retire his #11 jersey at Chase Center, where he will join a host of Warriors immortals, including those who helped shape this recent dynasty — himself included.''
Thompson is sixth on the NBA's all-time 3-pointers made list with 2,481, behind Reggie Miller (2,560), Damian Lillard (2,607), James Harden (2,940), Ray Allen (2,973) and Thompson's now-former ''Splash Brother'' with the Warriors, Stephen Curry, and his 3,747 career makes from beyond the arc.
Curry posted 30 photos to Instagram on Tuesday celebrating his years together with Thompson, then capped the thread with a message. ''Gonna miss you (at)klaythompson,'' Curry wrote. ''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.''
Curry signed off the note with, ''Splash Bros 4 life my guy.''