Before Klay Thompson decided to join the Mavericks in free agency, he met Warriors coach Steve Kerr for breakfast in late June, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Although Thompson had seen a reduced role in his final season with the team, Kerr assured him that the organization still valued him and wanted him to stay. However, Kerr was also honest about Thompson’s likely future if he re-signed with Golden State, which might include a full-time bench role.
“At the end of the breakfast, he said, ‘You know, I think it’s time. I think I’m going to go to Dallas,’” Kerr said. “I understood. I completely understood. Sometimes a fresh start can be healthy. I think it was the right decision for him.”
Thompson will return Tuesday night to the Chase Center, where he’s expected to receive a hero’s welcome. He’s still a beloved figure in the Bay Area for his role in helping the Warriors win four titles during his 13 years with the team. And even though there’s an acknowledgement that Thompson wasn’t fully happy last season, there’s also a strong bond with the city and his former teammates.
“This will be as emotional as anything we’ve ever experienced, I think, in my time here,” Kerr said. “I think it’ll be even more emotional than his return (from injuries) to play. Obviously now there’s a finality to it and appreciation for everything he did hanging the banners, helping get the arena built, just being so beloved by everybody.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton made his first start of the season in Sunday’s win at Oklahoma City alongside Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Kerr plans to keep that unit together, Slater tweets. “I think it gives us a really good two-way lineup,” Kerr said. “You saw what (Melton) can do at both ends.”
- The Clippers are developing an identity without Kawhi Leonard and should be able to ease him back into the rotation once he’s fully recovered from inflammation in his right knee, Law Murray of The Athletic states in an overview of the team’s surprising start. Murray adds that there haven’t been any concerns about Leonard’s progress, but the medical staff is being cautious so he won’t be in and out of the lineup when he does return.
- Free agent addition Mohamed Bamba, who hasn’t played yet this season due to a knee injury, has progressed to three-on-three and five-on-five scrimmages, per Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Coach Tyronn Lue indicated there’s a chance Bamba could be active during the Clippers‘ upcoming road trip.
- Kings guard Malik Monk will miss tonight’s game with an ankle injury that’s still being evaluated, sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link). He had to leave Sunday’s contest in the first half after hurting the ankle.
“Murray adds that there haven’t been any concerns about Leonard’s progress, but the medical staff is being cautious so he won’t be in and out of the lineup when he does return.”
As in, “No clue if or when Kahwi plays this season.”
Arthur thank you for this Warriors information today. It’s well written and covers the Klay situation and then the starting lineup plan very well. Nice job.
I’m wondering what Warriors fans think about Melton starting. Is he the best candidate for the role? Would it be better if Jonathan Kuminga started and Wiggins slide over to shooting guard? I’ll be curious to read what everyone’s opinion is.., if they care to comment.
The K/W one is the higher upside, but it relies on Wiggins continuing to shoot and learning to dribble again (my god the last couple games he looks like a 10 year old), and Kuminga being more consistent as a shooter and improving on defense. They also just would need to learn to play together more and develop better chemistry.
Melton is just your standard 2 size, but defends up to 4 while being fine on small fast guards. He shoots better than any other option thats anywhere near him defensively. The main question with him is if he misses time frequently then thats not really your starting lineup.
If anything, Kerr playing his “starter” 5 mins then never again means starting is meaningless on this team, it’s all about who sees the most overall court time, its all about who is the top 5 MPG. And those 5 should be Curry, Draymond, Kuminga, Wiggins and Hield.
Melton is made of glass, and of course Kerr refuses to learn from how he treated Otto Porter was the right way to keep him healthy. Melton’s great, but we gotta keep him fresh. Answer: play Moses Moody more and Podz (worst offensive player in the league who cant shoot at all) garbage time only.
Just a friendly reminder that you made some predictions about minutes at the start of the season, then abused everyone who disagreed with you.
Plus a follow up reminder that your predictions were in fact, very wrong.
Depends on the match up who starts. Kuminga will get his minutes.
I really like Melton starting and he seems to mesh really well with that group. Plus his offense is a lot better than I thought.
Based on the season so far, I think they’ll probably trade JK at some point before the deadline or in the off season. He just doesn’t mesh well with Dray and Wiggins.
Also … not sure about TJD being a long-term starting center. He got played off the floor vs OKC (also noticed Loon didn’t play either).
I feel like they are a stretch big to really unlock their team.
Dezpoo , I agree we need a big-bodied stretch 5 in the rotation to seriously contend.
About JK, Podz, TJD Moody, keep in mind that ownership is only 2.5 years from needing to sell $40k season tickets for a team with no Steph & Draymond.
Melton, unfortunately, is likely here for this season only. He was available at a discount because he’s been hurt a lot the last 2 years, but he’ll be an UFA.
I wasn’t in favor of Melton playing ahead of Podz, Moody & JK because when I thought this was a rebuilding year. But since we’re now a contender, I support Kerr tinkering.
I love Klay but Im going to laugh my @ss off if the warriors make it deeper than the Mavs in this post season. Like there was a part of him bailing that was him thinking he was jumping ship to still compete for titles, and it will be hilarious if he made the wrong choice.
Boo Miriam Adelson Boo Mavs Boo Kyrie enjoy Tex under a republican pres Klay Im sure your going to love it….
Chap, a lot of schadenfreude for this special day.! Lol
Replacing Klay’s bad attitude with Melton and Buddy is literally the reason why GSW is in the #1 spot right now. The vibes on this team are immaculate.
It’s funny that the “GSW has no bigs” narrative exists because it makes Kerr play TJD and Looney a combined 5 mins a game lol
OKC went small and Kerr countered with going small.
What’s funny is your blatant ignorance. Holmgren got hurt so Okc went small. So gsw went small. Did you watch the game? I’m guessing no or you did and your ignorance kicked in. TJD and Looney are each averaging 17 min/gm. Hmm, 17 plus 17 equal 5? BTW, Moody is at 17 also. Davey, hyperbole is very obvious with you. Tell me why ANYONE would buy into ANYTHING you post. Iknow I don’t and in fact I’ve stopped responding to your posts. But this last post by you was unavoidable. I guess you win.
They only see things as they see it fit for what believe in
Claude, good summary.
Plus, add to your explanation of Kerr using “the right tool for the job” that Kyle Anderson, 6’9”, 245 lbs, played 20 mins and had 5 rebs, 5 assists and 6 pts. Anderson seems to be Kerr’s go-to small-ball big.
The fresh start hasnt been healthy so far lol