Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was at a loss for words while reflecting on the departure of longtime teammate Klay Thompson during the latest episode of his podcast.
“Thirteen years in the bay, reportedly joining the Mavericks,” Green said Tuesday. “And I must say, I don’t really know how I feel about it.”
Thompson, a free agent, is reportedly joining the Mavericks on a three-year, $50-million contract as part of a sign and trade. Transactions can’t become official until July 6, but the Warriors confirmed the move in a statement Monday and said Thompson’s No. 11 will one day be retired by the club.
Green said Thompson delivered the news of his departure to him in person last week.
“[We] just started talking through the years, like ‘it’s been great. What we’ve done is so special. You and Steph are my brothers forev-‘” Green said of the meeting, before cutting himself off.
Green said that while the departure had been looming, that didn’t make it easier to deal with. However, as bittersweet as it was, there was nothing but positivity between the two former teammates.
“[The signing] changes nothing for us,” Green said, “It changes the basketball court obviously, but the relationships, they are what they are. They are forever… the bond, all of us being mentioned, that is forever.”
Green added that this news is so fresh that he hasn’t had time to process it properly.
“Earlier today I think I might have dropped a couple of tears,” he admitted.
Thompson is the first of the Warriors’ core to depart the team. The 34-year-old, along with Green and Stephen Curry, brought four NBA championships to the Bay Area during their more than a decade together. Known as “The Splash Brothers,” Curry and Thompson changed the NBA with their proficient three-point shooting and Thompson is currently sixth on the all-time three-pointers list.
After news of the split broke Monday, Curry shared memories of their time together with several posts on his Instagram account.
“Gonna miss you @Klay Thompson,” Curry wrote. “Even though we won’t finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. 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 centre of it all. Thank you for everything bro. Go enjoy playing basketball and doing what you do. Splash Bros 4 life my guy.”