Steve Kerr thanks Klay Thompson for '10 incredible years,' says ex-Warrior needed 'a shift'

LAS VEGAS — Before he turned to the business of coaching Team USA, coach Steve Kerr thanked one of his favorite players he has ever coached who is no longer under his employ — Klay Thompson.

“I want to thank Klay for 10 incredible years…that I was there for,” Kerr said Saturday, before taking any questions following his first day of practice for Olympic training camp.

Thompson, a pillar of the Golden State Warriors’ four championships won under Kerr, left the organization to sign a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Kerr, in extended comments about Thompson, said the player made it clear he needed “a shift.”

“What he did for the team, the organization, for the Bay Area, and for me personally, the relationship that we have, all the incredible success,” Kerr said. “But more importantly than that, just going through it all together has been so meaningful, so amazing. And we’re going to miss Klay.”



https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5621041/2024/07/06/steve-kerr-klay-thompson-warriors/?source=user_shared_article