End of Captain Klay Thompson? 1731 Miles Transition & Lakers Snub Shape a New Chapter for The Ex-Warriors Star

The Sea Captain’s love for the ocean and his Axopar 37 Cabin are well-documented. After suffering an ACL tear in 2019, Klay Thompson turned to boating as part of his rehabilitation process. It has been stuck since then. So much so that when he was given the green signal to return to the floor, the California native rode his boat to the Chase Center.

“When the days would get really tough, I would take a cruise into the city or toward Oakland or just be out in nature. It always helps,” the 4x champion had once said in an interview with the New York Times. However, all that comfort seems to be coming to an end now. There was no doubt that Thompson was leaving his home of 13 years. He and the Golden State Warriors had reached a point from where there was no coming back.

But there was still hope that he wouldn’t entirely have to relocate. The Los Angeles Lakers were flitting around him, hoping to maybe persuade him to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, it was a sign-and-trade deal, and while the Purple & Gold made a compelling proposal ($20 million per year), their offer of D’Angelo Russell wasn’t something the Warriors were keen on.

And that left Klay Thompson with the next strong suitor – the Dallas Mavericks. ESPN’s Woj reported the multi-sign trade deal involving the Charlotte Hornets. The terms of the deal were a three-year $50 million contract with a player option. According to the veteran insider, the Splash Brother had a few other four-year offers that obviously came with more money. Yet, “taking less was offset by the chance to win a fifth championship with the Mavs and difference in state taxes.” 

Which brings us, once again, to the saddening affair – Klay will have to bid adieu to his boat rides. 1731 miles away from San Francisco, Dallas does not exactly have a bay area. No bay area = no boat. And it seems like his new teammate, Kyrie Irving’s wish, will never come true, either.

When ‘Uncle Drew’ requested Captain Klay Thompson for one of his famous boat rides across the Bay Area

Thompson’s boat, ‘Nordic Knife’ or ‘Splash Express’, took a life of its own, much like his English bulldog, Rocco. And one of the more popular stories his fans (second to watching the relaxed and happy Klay in his own company) was when he would take his teammates, friends, and colleagues for a ride. And they are all hands down, ready for it!

Funny enough, the tales of Captain Klay had reached Kyrie Irving when he was playing for Brooklyn. After a game between the Nets and Warriors in early November 2022, Irving, after hugging Thompson, had a request. “By the way, can I get a ride on your boat?” 

Not expecting that question at all, the Sea Captain looked lost for a split second before he laughed along with Kai. Given that there has been no news about such a trip, we can safely assume that Irving is still waiting for Klay’s reply.

While the Mavs move certainly puts them both on the same team, Kyrie might just get his wish. However, they would have to travel 1731 miles to San Francisco. Klay Thompson and his boat were surely a sight for sore eyes! And one that many will miss dreadfully. The marina owner, Arvind Patel, for instance, was one of them. He shared his fond memories of the first time they met with the NBC Bay Area. 

It was a friendship that blossomed when Klay was docking his Finland-made boat just about anywhere in the marina. “We chatted, and he said, listen, I only parked here once. I said, ‘Listen, you’re Klay, well known, famous, everyone loves you. You can park anytime you want.'” Since then, ‘Nordic Knife’ found a permanent spot next to Patel’s 60-foot sailboat, and the two sometimes got together for fishing.

“The ocean and free diving and spearfishing and boating bring me joy, second only to winning basketball games, really,” Klay had said once. Clearly, this Dallas move is going to be a tremendous change for this ocean’s child.