Klay Thompson’s move to Dallas was supposed to be a fresh chapter-a chance to reset after a rocky end to his storied run in Golden State. But so far, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan.
The veteran guard has struggled to find his footing with the Mavericks. His role hasn’t matched the expectations many had when he first arrived, and according to reports, Dallas has quietly tested the waters on a potential trade. The market, however, hasn’t shown much interest-at least not yet.
Still, even in the midst of uncertainty, Thompson’s connection to his Golden State roots remains as strong as ever. A recent interaction with a reporter gave fans a glimpse into just how deep that bond runs-especially when it comes to his longtime backcourt partner, Stephen Curry.
Asked about Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard and the nickname some fans have thrown around-“Cocaine Curry”-Klay didn’t hesitate to shut it down.
“I think Reed’s a great shooter,” Thompson said, “but I don’t think anyone should ever be in the same sentence with Steph though. That’s crazy. That’s a little crazy.”
The response was classic Klay: honest, direct, and fiercely loyal. And it’s not hard to understand why.
Thompson and Curry spent 13 seasons together in Golden State, forming one of the most iconic backcourts in NBA history. The “Splash Brothers” weren’t just sharpshooters-they were a movement.
Together, they helped redefine the modern NBA offense and brought home four championships in the process.
Even now, with Thompson wearing a different jersey, the respect he has for Curry hasn’t wavered. It’s the kind of reverence that comes from years of shared battles, deep playoff runs, and mutual trust on and off the court.
That same appreciation extended to another former Warriors teammate: Kevin Durant. During the same media interaction, Thompson took a moment to shout out Durant for passing Dirk Nowitzki on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
“He’ll go down as one of the greatest players ever,” Thompson said.
It’s a sentiment that carries weight coming from someone who shared the floor with Durant during one of the most dominant stretches in recent memory. In their three seasons together, Thompson and Durant helped lead the Warriors to two NBA titles, forming a superteam that felt nearly unstoppable at its peak.
Durant’s eventual move to Brooklyn marked the end of that era, but the respect between those former teammates clearly remains intact.
As for Thompson, his future in Dallas is still uncertain. Whether the Mavericks find a trade partner or he finds his rhythm in a new role remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: no matter where he plays, his loyalty to those championship years-and the players who helped define them-runs deep.