Steve Kerr thanks Klay Thompson, understands why Warriors icon left – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

LAS VEGAS — Steve Kerr’s main responsibility right now is to ensure that a historically deep group of superstars on the U.S. men’s basketball team gets the job done at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and brings home gold.

The Warriors coach is also not indifferent to one of the biggest stories in the NBA right now, with Klay Thompson leaving for the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent. Even before Kerr took questions Saturday from UNLV’s Mendenhall Center on the first day of Team USA training camp, he took the time to thank Thompson for his iconic career in a Warriors jersey.

“I just want to thank Klay Thompson for those 13 incredible years, 10 of which I was there,” Kerr began. “What he’s done for the team, the organization, the Bay Area, for me personally — the relationship that we have, all the incredible success, but more importantly, just going through it all together has been so meaningful and so incredible.”

“We’re going to miss Klay. We wish him the best. These things rarely go the way you want them to, where you can put everything together and everyone goes out together. We were hoping that would happen, but it didn’t and we wish Klay the best of luck.”

“We love him and we will miss him. Klay, if you’re watching this, thank you for everything.”

Thompson was 24 and entering his fourth season as a Warrior when Kerr replaced Mark Jackson as head coach. Kerr was 49 at the time and entering his first coaching stint in any capacity. The Southern California natives, who have an affinity for the beach, were a perfect fit.

Drawing on the talent of a backcourt that featured the greatest shooters of all time — Thompson and Steph Curry — the former Warriors guard became an instant All-Star in Kerr’s first year as head coach. They also won their first title together that 2014-15 season, starting a five-game NBA Finals streak and earning three rings.

The 2014–15 season was also Thompson’s first as an All-Star. He won the honor five years in a row, was named All-NBA in his first two seasons under Kerr, and was named to the All-Defensive Team in 2018–19.

Kerr has yet to fully experience the emotions of Thompson turning the page and starting a new chapter. The two talked throughout Thompson’s decision, and Kerr said he got a “really good description” of the 34-year-old’s mindset about what he thought was best for him at this point in his career. After playing three years at Washington State, the only basketball court Thompson has ever known is in the Bay Area, at Oracle Arena in Oakland and Chase Center in San Francisco.

During his playing career, Kerr played in six different cities, including Phoenix, Cleveland, Orlando, Chicago, San Antonio and Portland. Change can be necessary, even necessary for some. Of course, Kerr wanted nothing more than Thompson’s path to the Hall of Fame.

He’s taking a detour to Dallas, although that won’t affect his position in the heart of his longest-serving coach.

“I totally get it,” Kerr said. “Sometimes in life we ​​all need a change. Just a fresh start, whatever it may be. It doesn’t matter what profession you’re in, sometimes you just need a change, and I think that’s it. That’s the easiest way to describe why Klay is leaving. … It’s going to be really weird on media day when he’s not here.”

Two leg injuries — a torn ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 Finals and a torn Achilles tendon in November 2020 — have taken a heartbreaking toll on Thompson. The last two years have been a mental and physical battle Thompson never could have imagined. How could he have done it?

He was benched for the first time under Kerr last season, replaced by rookie Brandin Podziemski. As Thompson’s body and game changed, so did his role with the Warriors. He felt slighted, despite the fact that the Warriors offered him a contract last offseason that was $2 million less than what he signed for with the Mavericks, and more than $7 million per season higher than his new deal.

What may seem like a feud between a player and management is nothing compared to the love Kerr will always have for Thompson, and vice versa. They lived through the glory days together and felt the deep pain of seeing Thompson sidelined for more than two years of his best season, before celebrating once again as champions the year the Splash Brother returned to the field.

And a few tears were probably shed as the two discussed Thompson’s departure.

“It’s never easy when these things start to wear thin, but the most important thing is that relationships last,” Kerr said. “Memories last. Klay will one day have a statue outside of Chase. He will be loved by his teammates, his coaches and our fans forever.”

“It’s never easy, but I think everything will be fine for everyone.”

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