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[Saba Sports News] The news of Klay Thompson’s departure from the Golden State Warriors hasn’t fully sunk in for many, including Steph Curry.
Curry, attending Team USA basketball’s training camp in Las Vegas in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, sat down with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr for an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews. Curry was asked about Thompson joining the Dallas Mavericks.
The 2-time NBA MVP expressed his regret over the split, acknowledging the necessity of the move for Thompson, who Curry implied had lost his enjoyment of the sport.
“We would have loved to maintain the core and finish out together,” said Curry. “But we obviously understand the league and things change. Having Klay head on to Dallas, it’s tough. It’s something I never imagined would be a reality, but you want him to be happy. You want him to be able to enjoy the game of basketball.”
Curry and Thompson had been teammates since the 2011-12 season, sharing 13 seasons, 6 NBA Finals appearances, and 4 championships.
Though Thompson, 34, was still productive last season, averaging 17.9 points per game as Golden State’s second-leading scorer, his efficiency and defense have declined. He shot 43.2% from the field and 38.7% from beyond the arc in the 2023-24 campaign and has become a defensive liability due to past major injuries.
Curry will need time to adjust to seeing Thompson in a Mavericks jersey next season.