Klay Thompson’s departure from the Golden State Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks due to an inability to reach an agreement on a new deal was an emotional occasion for the organisation and fans, and Stephen Curry expressed his sentiments when conversing with his long-time friend throughout the process.

“It’s one of those things where you never think you’d ever have that conversation,” Stephen Curry remarked during Team USA training camp, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. “Even to the 11th hour, when I knew all the signs were pointing towards (Thompson and the Warriors) not finding a resolution on the contract, you’re thinking, ‘Maybe it’ll be one of those things where he’d come out and say, ‘Oh, we got it done.'”

Curry clearly believed that the Warriors and Klay Thompson could reach an agreement that would allow him to stay until the very end. That did not happen, as Thompson is now with the Mavericks, and the Warriors have done their best to replace him, primarily by adding Buddy Hield.

Thompson joins a Mavericks club that recently advanced to the NBA Finals, and he intends to be a key player in helping them get over the hump and give Luka Doncic his first championship. They may conceivably face the Warriors in the playoffs. The matchups between the two teams will undoubtedly draw a lot of interest, particularly Thompson’s return to Golden State.

Stephen Curry reacts to Klay Thompson’s final decision to leave the Warriors.

Curry revealed that he had to control his emotions when Thompson informed him of his plan to leave. Two days later, Thompson selected the Mavericks over the Los Angeles Lakers.

“You offer that type of hope. But, yeah, it was a tough choice,” Curry told Amick. “When you hear him speak up about the whys (of his choice) and how much he enjoyed the camaraderie and being teammates and champions that we were, there are no words that can truly express that. I know it was difficult for him. You just try to be calm on the phone because you don’t want to cry and go through that. There were a few tears. But it’s one of those things where I’m confident I’ll be able to give him that energy when I see him in person.

The Splash Brothers, as the tandem was known throughout their time with the Warriors, won four titles together, the first in 2015, two more in 2017 and 2018, and the most recent in 2022.

Thompson returned from significant knee and Achilles injuries to help the 2021-22 Warriors win the NBA championship over the Boston Celtics. Thompson struggled this past season, but his shooting should still bring value to the Mavericks this season. There was a lot of stress regarding his issues and the contract predicament, which hung over him all season. Eventually, it was time for a change, as sad as it was for Curry.