Mavs' Klay Thompson aims to be 'rejuvenated' by fresh start - ESPN

DALLAS — Klay Thompson said he has moved past the disappointment over realizing a «breakup» with the Golden State Warriors after a historic 13-year run was in his best interest and is now determined to rediscover his joy for the game with a new franchise.

Thompson smiled throughout Tuesday's news conference at the Dallas Mavericks' practice facility, where he was introduced along with the team's other offseason acquisitions: forward Naji Marshall and shooting guard Quentin Grimes.

«Coming here is just such a fresh start,» Thompson said. «Feeling just wanted again, like I bring great value, it just gets me excited to go out there and even work out after this press conference and get shots up. Yeah, there was times last year where it was tough, where it wasn't as joyful as it was in the past.

»It's nice to kind of shed that and have a whole new fresh start, whole new group of guys to get to know, co-workers, whole new city. It's really cool, and I'm going to embrace the heck out of this opportunity."

The Warriors have vowed to retire Thompson's No. 11 to honor him for a tenure that was highlighted by four NBA championships and five All-Star appearances as half of the «Splash Brothers» along with Stephen Curry. Golden State coach Steve Kerr and Curry spoke this week at Team USA's training camp about how much they will miss Thompson.

But Thompson reached the conclusion that it was time to close that chapter of his career after negotiations on his next contract were not a priority for the Warriors, who unsuccessfully attempted to acquire Paul George in a sign-and-trade deal last month.

After meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Mavericks in free agency, Thompson decided to come to Dallas, believing he could help the