NBA: Klay Thompson feels ‘wanted again’ after Golden State Warriors exit – BBC Sport

Klay Thompson says his move to the Dallas Mavericks is a “fresh start” after a “tough” ending to his Golden State Warriors career.

The 34-year-old ended his 13-year stay with the Warriors to join the Mavericks this week.

Thompson, an 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft for the Warriors, reached six NBA finals between 2015 and 2022, winning four titles.

But the five-time All-Star shooting guard has struggled in recent years with injuries, missing almost two years of action between 2019 and 2021 with knee and Achilles problems.

Thompson’s contract with the Warriors was due to expire in June but despite lobbying from team-mate Stephen Curry for the franchise to extend his deal, the two parties could not find an agreement.

“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.”

Thompson, alluding to his strained relationship with the Warriors, added there were times last year when “it was tough” and not “as joyful as it was in the past”.

The Boston Celtics have tied Jayson Tatum down to a new five-year deal worth a reported $314m (£245m).

The 26-year-old led the Celtics to a record-breaking 18th NBA Championship last season with a five-game victory over the Mavericks.

Tatum, a third overall draft pick in 2017, overtakes team-mate Jaylen Brown as the best player in the NBA.

Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, said the franchise is “obviously ecstatic” that Tatum, a four-time All-NBA star, chose to commit his future to them.

Elsewhere, LeBron James’ hopes of playing with his son Bronny for the La Lakers are still alive after he signed a new deal on the west coast.

The 39-year-old signed a two-year extension with the Lakers last week in what is likely to be his final deal with the franchise.

The deal is reportedly worth $104m (£81.5m).

Bronny was selected by the Lakers in the second round of the NBA Draft in June.

LeBron has been open about his ambition to become the first father-son partnership in NBA history by playing with Bronny before the end of his career.