It was a little more than a week ago that an ESPN report revealed that longtime Warriors star guard Klay Thompson still hasn’t quite gotten used to not playing for Golden State and that, if the opportunity were to present itself he would be open to a return to the Bay Area, a place that appeared to be a perfect match for his style of play on the floor and temperament off it. But, it was said, Thompson would not come back to the Dubs unless Stephen Curry pushed for it.
To which Curry told ESPN, “It would be unbelievable. If that time comes and that conversation is had, of course I’m calling him and saying, ‘We want you back.’”
With Thompson in town on Christmas for a matchup against the Mavericks, a game the Warriors won, 126-116, the notion of Thompson making a return was brought to the front burner, at least for the time being. And Steve Kerr made clear: He’d be for it.
Klay Thompson Always a Warriors Icon
Of course, Kerr’s waning faith in Thompson, after he suffered back-to-back injuries to his knee (torn ACL) and Achilles tendon, was just one factor in the deterioration of the Warriors’ relationship with Thompson before he left in free agency more than a year ago now. Thompson could not match his past efficiency, though, so that loss of faith was hardly Kerr’s fault.
But for 13 years, Thompson was among the better two-way players in the league for Kerr and the Warriors, and was a key cog in them winning four NBA championships. Kerr has not forgotten that.
“I’ll never get used to seeing Klay on the other side,” Kerr said. “I miss Klay. Wish he was still here.”
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty ImagesSteve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson Not an Easy Trade to Make
Well, get the trade machine fired up! The Warriors coach wants Thompson back.
It would not be so simple, unfortunately. The Warriors could certainly make a trade for Thompson here in the 2025-26 season, but it is unclear how much of an upgrade he would be over the current roster, which is packed with so-so players who have made things difficult on Kerr when it comes to sorting out a rotation.
Adding Thompson, who is slated to make $16.7 million this year and $17.5 million next year might fill some karmic void in the Warriors as an organization, but it is worth pointing out that he is averaging career lows in points (11.1), field-goal percentage (36.9%) and 3-point percentage (35.3%).
If the Warriors hope to improve at the trade deadline but only come away with a move for Thompson … they won’t have improved.
Warriors Get Well-Rounded Win
As for the game on Thursday, the Warriors withstood an ugly night from the starting five thanks to exceptional effort from the bench. Curry led the Warriors with 23 points, but did so on 6-for-18 shooting. Off the bench, Al Horford finally returned and poured in 14 points, making three 3-pointers in the first quarter.
De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski combined for 29 points as the Warriors’ bench gave them 64 points on the night.
The Warriors are back over .500 at 16-15.
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