Klay Thompson’s first Media Day as a non-Warrior feels bittersweet

What a nightmare for Dub Nation, but hopefully a good thing for Killa Klay’s vibes.

You ever have a dream so real, that when you wake up it takes a minute to wonder if it’s real or fake? You wipe the sweat from your brow, kicking the blankets off of you to get some air. You squint blearily at the clock radio on the desk, blinking rapidly to clear your eyes. 9:00am, West Coast time.

It’s Monday morning, the last day in September. You sit on the edge of the bed, legs dangling, scratching your head wondering about that nightmare you just had. The night terror in question? Klay Thompson having media day for another team.

Wellp, let me tell ya something brother…that’s a reality. Today Klay had his first media day in his storied 12-yearcareer without wearing the gold-and-blue of the Golden State Warriors. Remember Steph Curry’s IG post after Klay left in the offseason?

“Gonna miss you @klaythompson. Even though we won’t finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again,” Curry wrote. “Couldn’t have imagined a better run with you and (Draymond Green). Changed the whole Bay Area. Changed the way the game is played. Killa Klay at the center of it all. Thank you for everything bro. Go enjoy playing basketball and doing what you do.

“Splash Bros 4 life my guy.”

Klay averaged 17.9 PPG on 43% shooting from the field, 38% from beyond the arc. He played in 77 games, the most he’s had in the 2 1/2 seasons back from his devastating back-to-back injuries in 2019 and 2020.

Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a miracle Klay was averaging those stats after the Achilles and ACL surgeries, as those have historically have ended several NBA players careers, let alone affected their on-court effectiveness.

Per Tim Kawakami, Klay’s old head coach Steve Kerr had this to say about the departed star:

“Yeah, there were signs,” Kerr said. “I mean, obviously, none of us knew what would happen. We all wanted him to stay. I wanted Klay to be a Warrior for life. Felt like the right thing. But you never really know what the right thing is for someone else. Only that person knows.

“I think by the end of the year, I think Klay knew for his own sake that he wanted to leave. I’m happy for him. I really think this will be a great move. He’s going to play for a great team with two high-level creators [Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving]. You should get a lot of wide-open shots. I think sometimes a career change, a late-career change, can refresh and recharge you.

“I’m hoping Klay can move on from the injuries psychologically and emotionally, which I think he struggled to do here, frankly. I think a fresh start is great for him. I think it could be good for us.”

Everytime Warriors fans look up at the banners in Chase Centers, they’ll remember the blood, sweat, tears, and buckets Klay poured in to make sure the Bay’s basketball team went from a bunch of losers to the dynasty of the modern era.

Now it’s time to show him what he’s missing out on, at least if you ask his old teammate Gary Payton II:

Killa Klay’s return to the Bay Area will come on the first night of the 2024-25 Emirates NBA Cup schedule. Klay and his new team will face the Dubs in San Francisco on Nov. 12.