Klay Thompson drops fearless response to Draymond Green's warning about Bay return

It still might be shocking for some to see Klay Thompson no longer a member of the Golden State Warriors organization after 13 years, and now part of the Dallas Mavericks organization, but that's how the NBA works with directions that teams are heading in.

The Mavericks completed a sign-and-trade for the Warriors legend and the excitement through the Mavericks fan base is at an all-time high. Thompson joining Dallas gave them an elite big three to pair with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Thompson will forever be loved by the Warriors fans for helping them win four NBA championships and reaching the Finals six times, but a new team is a new team. Thompson's ex-Warriors teammate Draymond Green had some interesting comments to say about when Thompson returns to the Bay for the first time, and Thompson responded back.

Klay Thompson is not afraid of Draymond Green's antics

Thompson sat down with Rachel Nichols on "Open Run," and Nichols asked Thompson about how Green said he will "run through his chest" when Thompson returns to the Bay on November 12 in one of the most important games on the Mavericks' 2024-25 schedule.

"If so, I'll take two free throws, and I'm a pretty tough guy," Thompson said. "So, I think I can handle it."

With Thompson saying intense words like that, it's clear that he's not afraid of anybody, even his former teammate. Thompson has shown before he's tough when he came back and made two free throws after tearing his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

Thompson is an 86 percent free throw shooter and led the NBA last season in free throw percentage at 93 percent. If Green is going to run through Thompson's chest and foul him, Thompson will always be able to make two free throws and more. Green is known for pulling off antics to try to rattle the other team, and Thompson will be ready for whatever he has up his sleeve.

There's no doubt when the Warriors and Mavericks play it will be weird to see Thompson playing against the Warriors for the first time ever. However, Thompson has embraced that he wanted a fresh start in Dallas and he's committed to playing and winning on the Mavs.

"It's probably going to be a little weird at first, but once the ball tips up and I start running around, it's just going to be basketball again," Thompson said. "And luckily, I've had good success shooting in (Chase Center), so hopefully that translates."

To add an extra boost of motivation for Thompson when he returns to the Bay, it's the first game of the NBA Cup for the Mavericks. The NBA Cup can be the first small award that the Mavericks will want to turn into a big reward in the summer. Thompson will have the ability to put the Mavericks in NBA championship talk this season and will be looking forward to his Bay return. For the latest on the Mavericks and Thompson, stay tuned.