It’s been almost a year and a half since Klay Thompson left the Golden State Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks, marking the end of an era after tense contract talks with the team’s front office. Thompson’s departure wrapped up a legendary 12-year run alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green, during which the trio captured four NBA championships.
Even though they’re no longer on the same team, Curry shared with ESPN that he still instinctively tracks Thompson’s every move when tuning into Mavericks games. This happened most recently over the weekend, as Curry watched Dallas fall to the Utah Jazz while sitting with his seven-year-old son, Canon.
During the game, Curry couldn’t help but cheer “Shoot it, Klay!” as Thompson drained a few threes in the fourth quarter. Canon picked up on it and delivered a heartbreaking yet endearing six-word question: “Klay’s playing? Why are you here?” Curry gently explained that Thompson now plays in Dallas.
“Those are the moments it hits,” Curry told ESPN. “Things have evolved in life. But there are reminders of how special of a thing it was and also a reminder of how unfortunate … the reality of what it is right now.”
Canon and Thompson shared plenty of touching memories during Klay’s Warriors days, like when the young boy presented Thompson with a game ball after his comeback from a torn ACL and Achilles, or his charming “Hello, Klay Thompson” greetings.
On a brighter note, sources close to Thompson suggest a potential reunion with Curry isn’t out of the question, per ESPN. Thompson signed with Dallas hoping to chase another ring with Luka Dončić, but plans derailed after the Mavericks’ controversial trade of Dončić, leading to a sluggish 10-17 start this season.
Curry added, “If that time comes and that conversation is had, of course I’m calling him and saying, ‘We want you back.’ And hopefully that would be a welcome message to him.”
While a Splash Brothers comeback isn’t on the immediate horizon, the two will reunite on the court next week when the Warriors take on the Mavericks on Christmas Day.