Klay Thompson, the five-time All-Star guard, has posted an emotional farewell message to the Golden State Warriors and their fans on Instagram. Reflecting on his 13 NBA seasons with the franchise, Thompson described these years as “the best times of my life.”
Thompson, 34, officially ended his illustrious era with the Warriors on Monday by agreeing to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. His entire career until now has been spent with Golden State, where he played a crucial role in securing four NBA championships.
“Oh Bay Area, there are not enough words and images to convey how I really feel about y’all,” Thompson wrote in his heartfelt Instagram post on 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 departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Warriors history. Over the past season, his relationship with the Warriors became strained due to contract negotiations and his impending free agency. The tension culminated when Coach Steve Kerr moved him to a bench role in late February, a move that may have contributed to his decision to leave.
Despite these challenges, Thompson demonstrated his resilience in a memorable performance on February 15. Coming off the bench for the first time since his rookie season, he scored a season-high 35 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a thrilling 140-137 victory over the Utah Jazz. This game highlighted his determination and skill, even under challenging circumstances.
“You can do two things: You can pout or you can go out there and respond,” Thompson said after becoming the sixth Warriors player to reach 15,000 career points. “I thought I did the latter very well tonight.”
Throughout his 11 seasons with the Warriors, Thompson averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 793 career games. His shooting accuracy remained impressive, with a 45.3% field goal percentage and 41.3% from 3-point range. He also holds the fourth-longest active streak in the NBA, having started 727 consecutive games, trailing only DeMar DeRozan, Damian Lillard, and Stephen Curry.
Thompson’s impact on the Warriors extends beyond his stats. He ranks sixth on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 15,531 points, following legends like Curry, Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Paul Arizin, and Chris Mullin.
The Warriors have already expressed their gratitude and look forward to retiring his No. 11 jersey. Stephen Curry, his fellow Splash Brother, paid a touching tribute on Instagram, writing, “Gonna miss you. 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.”
Klay Thompson’s farewell marks the end of an era for the Warriors, but his legacy will endure. Fans and teammates alike will cherish the memories and championships he helped bring to the Bay Area, celebrating a career defined by excellence, perseverance, and deep bonds.
