Klay Thompson requested Steph Curry not to influence Warriors’ decision to re-sign him

Klay Thompson recently ended his eleven-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors.

Klay Thompson requested Steph Curry not to influence Warriors’ decision to re-sign him

Steph Curry and Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson’s departure from the Golden State Warriors to join rivals the Dallas Mavericks marked a significant moment in his career. During negotiations, Thompson requested that Steph Curry not use his influence to pressure the Warriors into re-signing him.

This request, according to Anthony Slater of the New York Times, highlighted how Thompson wanted to navigate his departure on his own terms. Despite Steph Curry‘s influential role within the Warriors’ hierarchy, Thompson respected the organization’s genuine intentions without external pressures.

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It’s been a layered five-year path to this divorce, splintering last season, sprouting earlier and finalizing in the last couple weeks, where —among the conversations Thompson had, league sources said — was a request of Stephen Curry not to exert his significant organizational influence and up the temperature with management to ensure Thompson’s return.
Anthony Slater wrote

The Warriors’ decision to prioritize big-picture moves and salary-slicing measures led to little communication and no offer to Thompson, whose decision to depart was reportedly made weeks ago. The team’s luxury tax bill and failure to make the playoffs last season made it clear that a change was necessary.

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Thompson’s legacy with the Warriors is cemented, but his new chapter with the Mavericks marks an exciting new opportunity. The Warriors, meanwhile, must navigate their future without a cornerstone player and now have to rely on Curry’s leadership to guide them forward.

Mychal Thompson disappointed son Klay chose Mavericks over Lakers

Mychal Thompson, former Los Angeles Lakers star and father of Klay Thompson, expressed his disappointment on SiriusXM NBA Radio that his son chose to sign with the Dallas Mavericks instead of LeBron James and the Lakers. Klay had agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks, despite the Lakers being a strong contender for his services.

I'm really disappointed. I was hoping, as you can assess, that he would be a Laker. And it was close. It came down to the Lakers and the Mavs, but the Mavs won out. But you know me, I was hoping and praying he'd finish his career with the Lakers.
Mychal Thompson told SiriusXM NBA Radio

Mychal acknowledged that the decision was Klay’s to make, but he had hoped his son would finish his career with the Lakers, a team Klay grew up idolizing and where Mychal won two NBA championships. Mychal said he even tried to persuade Klay to join the Lakers, as he cited the franchise’s history.

Despite his disappointment, Mychal accepts and respects Klay’s decision, and acknowledges that his son is a grown man who can make his own choices. Mychal will continue to support Klay, even if it’s not from the Lakers’ sidelines.

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