This Christmas Day matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks is more than just a marquee game on the NBA calendar - it’s a reunion of sorts, and for Warriors fans, it carries a deep emotional weight. At the heart of it is Stephen Curry, who recently opened up about his longtime backcourt partner and friend, Klay Thompson.
In a candid moment outside the Warriors’ locker room, Curry spoke to ESPN about what Thompson meant to him - and what it would mean to share the court with him again. “I wish he was still here… It would be unbelievable,” Curry said, reflecting on their years together.
“If that time comes and that conversation is had, of course I’m calling him and saying, ‘We want you back.’ And hopefully that would be a welcome message to him.
But as we stand right now, that does seem like a far distant reality. But so did him leaving.”
Those words hit hard for Warriors fans who’ve watched the Splash Brothers grow from a promising duo into a dynasty-defining force. Over 13 seasons together, Curry and Thompson helped deliver four championships to Golden State, redefining the modern NBA with their unmatched shooting and chemistry. Thompson’s departure last season marked the end of an era - but clearly, not the end of the bond.
As Curry made clear, the connection between him and Klay goes beyond basketball. It’s about legacy, loyalty, and the kind of trust that’s built over a decade of playoff runs, adversity, and unforgettable triumphs. And while a reunion may not be on the immediate horizon, Curry’s message was unmistakable: the door is open.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are navigating their own internal crossroads. With the team sitting at 13-14 and currently holding the eighth seed in the Western Conference, trade rumors are beginning to swirl - and this time, Draymond Green is at the center of them.
Green, the emotional heartbeat of the Warriors and a key piece of their championship core, has reportedly been floated in trade discussions as the front office explores ways to bring in another superstar. According to Warriors insider Monte Poole, the idea of moving Green - or even someone like Jimmy Butler, should he be involved in a potential deal - isn’t off the table.
“Would they get to a point where they trade or think about trading Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green? Yeah, they could,” Poole said in a recent appearance on NBC Sports.
“I would say that I’m sure it’s crossed their minds. And the thing is, you know how Steph is.
He likes what he likes, and he likes Draymond being on this team. They’d have to persuade him that it’s for the good of the team and the season to do this.”
That last part is key. Curry’s influence within the organization runs deep, and any move involving Draymond - who’s been both a defensive anchor and a fiery leader through the Warriors’ golden years - would likely need his blessing. It’s a delicate balance between loyalty to the core and the pursuit of one more title run in a crowded Western Conference.
Golden State’s next test comes against the Phoenix Suns, a team with championship aspirations of its own. But beyond the X’s and O’s, this stretch of the season feels like a defining one for the franchise. The Warriors are still figuring out who they are in this new phase - a team caught between the echoes of a dynasty and the urgency of the present.
And as the lights shine bright on Christmas Day, all eyes will be on Curry - not just for his on-court brilliance, but for the leadership and legacy he continues to shape in real time. Whether it’s the dream of bringing Klay back or the difficult decisions looming around Draymond, one thing is clear: the Warriors are still very much Steph’s team.