Glaring Klay Thompson reality adds motivation for first season with Mavericks

After spending 13 years with the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson got a fresh start, and the Dallas Mavericks completed a sign-and-trade for the 34-year-old sharpshooter.

However, it might still be unusual for most people to see Thompson in another NBA jersey. Thompson in Dallas still sends shockwaves around the NBA as it looked like he could be a Warrior for life at times.

Recently, one NBA analyst had an honest opinion on Thompson joining Dallas and made it seem like one game would likely immediately be circled in Thompson's mind.

Thompson's past with Golden State adds motivation for next season

One NBA game that is already confirmed is that the Mavs will be playing the Warriors in San Francisco on November 12. This date marks Thompson's return to the Bay. ESPN's Tim Legler had a take on Thompson when the game was announced.

"I don't think Klay Thompson ever wanted to be in another uniform," Legler said.

Sure, when a player spends over a decade with one team, that player might not ever want to leave that team, and want to spend their whole career with one team. But, Thompson wanted a fresh start with a new team as the end of his Warriors tenure was rough.

This game will add motivation because Thompson has a golden chance to solidify himself as an elite player still. Him joining forces with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas provides an impressive big three.

Thompson has a prime chance to show that the Warriors should've wanted him back in the Bay, and he also has a chance to spark a bigger rivalry between the two teams. It was only two years ago that the Warriors and Mavericks faced each other in the 2022 Western Conference Finals.

Legler also had more on Thompson.

"I have so much respect and admiration for him because of how competitive he is, and the bar he's set for himself," Legler said. "And at times, I think though he tries to make it happen too hard."

When a player has won four championships, has the NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a single game, and is a player who changed the game, of course, that player will try hard and have high standards. Thompson has a golden chance to help bring success to Dallas who just made the 2024 NBA Finals.