Kerr admits Klay’s mid-season signings signaled Warriors’ departure initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
The writing could have been on the wall for Klay Thompson and the Warriors for the 2023-24 NBA season.
Throughout the trials and tribulations of final season, it turned clear to teach Steve Kerr and the group that Thompson, a soon-to-be free agent, is likely to be open to a change of surroundings this offseason earlier than in the end signing a three-year, $50 million contract. contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
“Sure, there have been indicators,” Kerr instructed Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Customary on the final episode of “The TK Present”. “Clearly none of us knew what was going to occur, all of us wished him to remain. I wished Klay to be a warrior for all times, it appeared like the correct factor to do. However you by no means actually know what’s proper for another person, solely that particular person is aware of. And I believe by the top of the 12 months, I believe Klay knew for himself that he wished to depart.
“I’m comfortable for him, I believe it’s going to be a superb transfer. He’s going to play for an important group, two high creators (Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving), he ought to have quite a lot of open photographs. I believe generally a profession change, a late-career change, can refresh you and recharge you.”
Kerr admits Thompson’s two career-altering decrease leg accidents — a torn ACL within the 2019 NBA Finals and a torn Achilles tendon within the fall of 2020 — have continued to take a psychological toll on the Warriors sharpshooter, even two years after he returned to the court docket in January 2022.
“I hope Klay can get by means of his accidents psychologically and emotionally, which has been a tricky activity for him right here, frankly,” Kerr stated. “So I believe a contemporary begin is an efficient factor for him.”
Kerr believes Thompson’s departure, whereas darkish for the Warriors and Dub Nation and one other signal that Golden State’s dynasty is nearing its finish, might open the doorways to different thrilling roster alternatives this season.
“I believe it might be good for us, we will must fill the void that he left,” Kerr added. “However so long as we method the sport in a optimistic approach. Hey, there’s taking part in time and there is additionally a possibility to play slightly bit otherwise, do some various things and be taught some issues about our group, these are thrilling components that our followers will recognize.”
Thompson, statistically, had one of many worst seasons of his illustrious profession, averaging 17.9 factors, 3.3 rebounds and a couple of.3 assists per sport on 43.2 p.c capturing and 38.7 p.c from 3-point vary whereas bouncing between the beginning lineup and the bench in 77 video games performed.
Whereas there’s an argument to be made that the Warriors’ present roster is healthier now than it was final season with the addition of versatile veteran depth items rather than an ageing Thompson commanding practically half-hour per sport, Kerr and the group definitely want the franchise legend might play out the rest of his Corridor of Fame profession within the Bay Space.
