Draymond Green fires stern warning at Klay Thompson before Mavs-Warriors showdown

November 12, 2024, is a date that every Dallas Mavericks fan has circled on their calendar.

It's Klay Thompson's return to The Bay, and this will be one of Dallas' biggest games to begin the year. The Mavs and Warriors have even been predicted to become big rivals next season, and that shouldn't be a shock to anyone.

Thompson played for Golden State from 2011 until last season, and although it's going to be mostly love from the Warriors in that game, Draymond Green isn't planning on taking it easy on Thompson.

Draymond Green doesn't hold back on Klay Thompson ahead of reunion

Green was asked how he is going to guard Thompson when they match up against each other, and his answer shouldn't be a shock to anyone.

"I'm running through his chest," Green said. "He's my brother, but he not with us."

Green and Thompson have played in over 600 NBA games together throughout their careers, but now that they're not teammates, the dynamic has changed. Green is known for his intensity and sometimes dirty play, and Thompson won't be getting any handouts for when Dallas plays Golden State in a little over a month.

Thompson was someone who never seemed like he'd ever leave the Warriors, but after some frustration around his role and contract negotiations, he is ready for a fresh start. Playing next to Luka Doncic should help him revitalize his game once again, and he looks like he is going to be a great fit.

Last season for the Warriors, Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from downtown. This was considered a "down" year for Thompson, but he is poised to bounce back playing for the Mavs.

Thompson seems to be in a great mental space heading into the 2024-25 season, and after the conclusion of Media Day on Monday, fans are even more excited about his arrival and what he can bring to the floor.

From raving about Doncic to his championship aspirations, Thompson is already fitting right in in Dallas. The on-court chemistry with his teammates will come, and he has already gone out of his way to get to know his new Mavs teammates off the floor.

Thompson took his teammates on an all-day boat trip while they were training in California, and he said that is a memory he will always cherish. He is already showcasing his leadership qualities for everyone to see, and his teammates at Media Day harped on that as well.

Seeing Thompson in a Mavs jersey is going to take some time for everyone to get used to, and that'll be especially true for his old Warriors teammates. That night at the Chase Center is bound to be an emotional night due to everything that Thompson did for that organization, but it is going to be an absolute battle on the floor.

Thompson will want to prove to the Warriors that he is still the same player he was in the past and the Warriors will be looking to put forth a strong showing in front of their home crowd. November 12 could be the start of a new rivalry in the West, and Green seems ready for anything that Thompson will throw Golden State's way.