Klay Thompson bids thoughtful farewell to Warriors and fans in Instagram post

SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson sent a farewell message to Bay Area and Golden State fans after leaving the Warriors in free agency this week to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract.

On Instagram, Thompson posted a photo Friday to his 17.1 million followers of himself holding his new No. 11 jersey after being drafted by the Warriors in 2011 with the 11th overall pick out of Washington State.

“Oh Bay Area, there are not enough words and pictures to express how I truly feel for you all,” Thompson wrote. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for the best times of my life. It was such an honor to wear that Dubs jersey from day one. I truly wanted to be the best I could be and help bring as many championships as possible to the area. But the best part isn’t the rings, it’s the friendships I’ve made that will last a lifetime.”

Thompson, 34, won four championships with the Warriors alongside his brother Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The veteran missed more than two and a half years — the entire 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons — recovering from surgeries on his left knee and right Achilles tendon before returning in January 2022 and calling the recovery from back-to-back injuries one of the most difficult and challenging things he’s ever done.

Curry hoped to continue playing with Thompson as they formed one of the best back lines in the NBA.

“I’m gonna miss you (KlayThompson),” Curry shared in his own Instagram post Tuesday. “Even though we won’t finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. I couldn’t have imagined a better journey with you and (Draymond Green). You changed the entire Bay Area. You changed the way the game is played. Killa Klay at the center of it all. Thanks for everything bro. Go out there, enjoy playing basketball and doing what you do. Splash Bros 4 life my man.”

Thompson had a frustrating 0-of-10 shooting performance in a 118-94 loss to Sacramento in the play-in tournament that ended the Warriors’ season without a playoff spot after winning the 2022 NBA title. He said at the end of the season he wanted to chase a fifth championship before his career was over.

Thompson had repeatedly expressed his desire to remain with Golden State for his entire career, saying earlier this year: “I would like to be a Warrior for life.”

Instead, an emotional Thompson continues to work with the Mavericks.

Thompson, a regular boater and bay swimmer who liked to sport a captain’s hat that earned him the nickname “Captain Klay,” also expressed his gratitude to Golden State — with a trio of hashtags: #foureverchamps, #splashbros4life and #oaklandforever.

“My family and I want to thank all the amazing people who work tirelessly to make the (at)Warriors organization a world-class organization,” he said. “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened. Until we meet again. Captain, end of season.”

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NBA AP: https://apnews.com/hub/nba