LOS ANGELES, California – Following the passing of basketball legend Jerry West, Mychal Thompson shared the profound impact West had on the Golden State Warriors organization and particularly his son, Klay Thompson. Speaking on a radio show, Mychal recounted how West played a pivotal role in ensuring Klay remained with the Warriors despite trade rumors early in his career.
The Warriors had reportedly considered trading Klay to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love, a move that never materialized according to former team executive Bob Myers. West, who joined the Warriors in 2011, was instrumental in shaping the team’s championship dynasty.
Mychal Thompson revealed West’s strong opposition to trading Klay, even though Love was an All-NBA player at the time. West believed in the potential of the Splash Brothers duo, comprised of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, a vision that ultimately led to the team’s success and multiple championships.
West’s keen eye for talent was evident during Klay Thompson’s pre-draft workout, where West quickly recognized his potential and recommended drafting him. This decision, along with other key moves orchestrated by West, helped transform the Warriors into a dominant force in the NBA.
Before his time with the Warriors, West had already established himself as a successful talent evaluator and team builder during his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. His legacy includes constructing championship teams and discovering future Hall of Famers like Bryant and O’Neal.
West’s impact on the Warriors extended beyond the draft, as he played a crucial role in assembling the team’s core roster. With players like Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and others in place, the Warriors achieved unprecedented success in the league.
Reflecting on West’s influence, it becomes clear that his contributions to the Warriors organization were invaluable and helped pave the way for their remarkable achievements. Without West’s guidance and foresight, the Warriors’ trajectory could have been vastly different.