Klay Thompson feels 'free' after late-career move to Dallas Mavericks - ESPN

KLAY THOMPSON BRIEFLY considered bringing a Boston Whaler to Dallas, figuring it would be a good boat to dock at one of the local lakes, allowing him to indulge in his most prominent off-court passion after leaving the San Francisco Bay Area for his new NBA home.

But Thompson thought better of the idea. He wanted to immerse himself in a new experience after choosing to join the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, not attempt to recreate the one he had during his 13-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors.

«Don't need a boat,» Thompson told ESPN recently while relaxing at his American Airlines Center locker, situated a couple of stalls to the right of Luka Doncic's locker and a couple to the left of Kyrie Irving's. «That's what summertime is for. I got enough cold-water boating in the Bay to last me some years.»

When Thompson wants a water fix and some fresh air these days, he hops on his bicycle and pedals a half-hour from his Dallas home to White Rock Lake, a suitable relaxation replacement to cruising the open water in his Axopar 37 Cabin, which Thompson dubbed the «Nordic Knife» and «Splash Express.»

Thompson, who will be feted by his former franchise when he returns to San Francisco on Tuesday night to face the Warriors for the first time (10 p.m. ET, TNT), isn't searching for peace of mind on those occasional bike rides to the lake.

He said he is not just content to have closed the book on his phenomenal Golden State journey, which featured four NBA championship runs alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Thompson felt it was necessary to finish his career with another franchise, after the doubts about his future with the Warriors weighed heavily on his shoulders all last season.

«We're all human,» said