Klay Thompson Honors A Mavs Icon With New Jersey Number
By Jovan Alford
![Dallas Mavericks v Golden State Warriors Dallas Mavericks v Golden State Warriors](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4800,h_2700,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/181/01j2c9qn1fx63btgr480.jpg)
The Dallas Mavericks made one of the biggest splashes this offseason as they acquired Klay Thompson in a sign-and-trade from the Golden State Warriors, which was a part of the first six-team trade in NBA history.
The Mavericks locked in the former Warriors sharpshooter to a three-year, $50 million deal, as he’ll get to play next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Adding a player of Thompson’s stature is huge for Dallas, especially considering he turned down the opportunity to play with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thompson is excited to join the Mavericks and was officially introduced to the media and fans on Tuesday. The former NBA champion unveiled his new number in Dallas as he can’t wear No. 11 anymore, which is Irving’s.
The number that Thompson is going to don is familiar to Mavericks fans as that particular player helped them win a title in 2010-11. In a video posted on Twitter, Thompson shouted out Mavericks fans and showed them his new threads as he’ll be rocking the No. 31.
“I got my new threads. Number 31. Just like the JET, who got a chip in this same number. That’s what I plan to do.”
Klay Thompson:
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) July 9, 2024
“I got my new threads. Number 31. Just like the JET (Jason Terry) who got a chip in this same number. That’s what I plan to do”.
(Via @dallasmavs) pic.twitter.com/lWj9hSqm7T
Mavericks fans have fond memories of the JET aka Jason Terry, who played a large role in the team’s NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat. During that season, Terry averaged 16.6 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting from the field and 36.5 percent from deep.
The veteran guard finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year Award voting and went off in the NBA playoffs, dropping 17.5 points per game on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 44.2 percent from beyond the arc.
The Mavericks will not have Thompson coming off the bench next season, but they hope the 34-year-old can give them a spark from beyond the arc and get them their second title in team history.
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