By james art 
Photos by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images
It may take some time for basketball fans to get used to seeing Klay Thompson in a Dallas Mavericks jersey, but the sharpshooter is already adjusting to his next chapter after playing for the Golden State Warriors his entire career thus far.
“It’s been really cool,” Thompson said Saturday when discussing the move to Dallas, per Grant Afsett of the Dallas Hoops Journal . “Just going around town, meeting random people and hearing how excited they are about the upcoming season and how thankful they are that I’m here, that motivates me. Seeing how excited everyone is for Mavs basketball pushes me even harder when I get in the gym.”
While Thompson, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will soon turn their attention to competing for a title on the court, the new addition first built team chemistry by taking his teammates on a boat trip to Catalina Island.
“It was a pleasure to meet the boys,” shared Thompson. “I just wanted to do something nice for them and take them to one of my favorite places, Catalina Island. We had a great crossing; the water was beautiful that day, the sun was out and it was great. We did a lot of fun things, whether it was diving off the boat, jet riding or just swimming to shore, it was such a beautiful day and I think those moments as teammates are ones you treasure for a lifetime.”
The five-time All-Star was the main addition for the Mavericks this offseason, and he has the opportunity to thrive even in the latter part of his career.
After all, Thompson is one of the best shooters in NBA history and should see plenty of open looks when opposing defenses collapse against Doncic and Irving. If he can capitalize on those shots, the Mavericks can take another step after reaching the NBA Finals last season.
“I’m excited; this is a whole new chapter in my career that has the potential to be really special,” Thompson said. “The team was so close last year – three wins away from a championship – so I know we have the ingredients to be successful. We just have to stay together and build week by week. I know we can do something special and that’s why I’m here early, just to get a feel for the city and nature and have fun while doing it.”
Thompson won four championships with the Warriors and certainly understands what it takes to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
He may not be the same two-way star he was during his prime at age 34 with a string of serious injuries in his past, but he appeared in 77 games last season and will have the added motivation of playing for a new championship-chasing team. title.
What’s more, he won’t be asked to carry too much of the offensive burden given his stellar teammates. That should help keep him fresh throughout the season and ahead of the playoff championship.