After spending his first 13 years in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson will have a new environment with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks dominated the West, losing to defending champion Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
The Mavericks revealed on social media that as Thompson's career with the Mavericks resumes, he will no longer use his iconic No. 11 jersey and will switch to No. 31 jersey with the Dallas Mavericks.
Former NBA Finals opponent Kyrie Irving donned the Mavericks' No. 11 jersey, leaving Thompson with no choice but to find a new number for his 12th season in the NBA.
The No. 31 jersey has a rich history with the Mavericks, as it has been worn by legendary guards Nick Van Exel and Jason Terry.
Terry was one of the Mavericks' only key players to win an NBA championship, helping team legend Dirk Nowitzki defeat the Miami Heat's triumvirate of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the 2011 NBA Finals.
Terry also won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2009. Meanwhile, Van Exel was an All-Star, but what people miss most is his days with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Klay Thompson never wore the No. 31 jersey before, as he only wore the No. 1 jersey when he was at Washington State University until he was drafted by the Warriors in 2011.
Klay Thompson's signing deal became the first six-team deal in NBA history
A Golden State Warriors legend, Klay Thompson has chosen a new path in his career when he agreed to a signing deal from Dallas in the Bay Area. He joined the Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract, forming the Big Three with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
However, in order to complete the signing deal, six teams must acquiesce, including the Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets.
To sum up the six-team hefty deal, the Mavericks got Thompson and a future second-round pick. The Warriors acquired Kyle Anderson through a sign-to-trade and Buddy Hield through a sign-to-trade deal.
The Hornets signed Josh Green, Reggie Jackson and two second-round picks from the Nuggets. The Timberwolves got two second-round picks and cash. The 76ers received a second-round pick, while the Nuggets received some cash.
According to the Mavericks' announcement, this is the first six-team trade in NBA history.
Klay Thompson, who won four NBA championships with the Warriors, proved himself to be still a promising player last season, averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 38.7 percent from the field.
However, Thompson was left with regret in his final game against the Warriors, scoring a point in their playoffs.
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