Steve Kerr opens up after losing Klay Thompson to Dallas Mavericks

Klay Thompson is no longer a member of the Golden State Warriors' club, as coach Steve Kerr is aware. But he thinks it will never happen until opening night of NBA season. Kerr told reporter Kerith Burke that it might not really sink in that Klay is gone until maybe the first game that we play without him.

Following his head coach Klay Thompson's departure this summer to join the Dallas Mavericks, Kerr spent ten of his thirteen years with the Warriors. He won four titles with Kerr but departed the Warriors following an unhappy season in which he briefly lost his starting position. 

During his prime with Golden State, Thompson was renowned for his quirky personality as well as his clutch shooting and tough defense. When the Warriors were playing well, he would often leap into San Francisco Bay. He also once autographed a toaster for a fan, which ignited a run of 31 victories in 33 games. 

Prior to leaving the Golden State Warriors in July, Thompson served as the team's leader and captain, helping them win four NBA titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.Thompson had the sixth-highest cap number in Warriors history upon his trade, having played in 793 games and scoring 15,531 points. In the 2011 NBA Draft, he was chosen 11th overall. 

Klay Thompson scored 10 points for Dallas Mavericks debut game

The Warriors haven't let Thompson's absence deter them from dominating the floor thus far in the preseason. The Warriors hit 28 three-pointers in their preseason victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Interestingly, Buddy Hield and De'Anthony Melton, two recent additions, combined to shoot a Thompson-like 10-of-16 from long range. 

In his debut game as a Maverick, Thompson scored 10 points in 18 minutes while hitting 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Although Kerr may not have noticed Thompson's absence on opening night, the Mavericks' first-ever game against the Warriors on November 12 will undoubtedly bring it up. Given that Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are both "killers," Kerr anticipates a strong performance from his old teammate in that contest. And several shots.