**Klay Thompson Explains New Jersey Number Choice with Dallas Mavericks**
Klay Thompson has joined the Dallas Mavericks on a 3-year, $50 million deal, aiming to complement Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. With Irving already wearing Thompson’s No. 11, Klay chose No. 31, paying tribute to one of his childhood idols.
At Tuesday’s introductory press conference, Thompson explained the switch to No. 31. “Well, Kyrie took my number… no, I’m just kidding. It’s a change for me. I’m excited about it. There have been a lot of great 31s in this franchise’s history. Jason Terry won a championship wearing that number, and we play very similar styles—off-guard, spacing the floor, shooting.
He had a great year with them. Nick Van Exel also wore 31 here, and I love ‘Nick the Quick.’ Reggie Miller wore 31, and I watched so much footage of him as a teenager, especially his game-winning shots. He had no fear whether he made or missed, and that was inspiring. I still remember him in the East Finals, pushing off [Michael Jordan], curling off the right wing, and hitting that three. It’s a way to honor someone who paved the way for shooters like me.”
Thompson, currently sixth all-time in three-pointers made, is close to surpassing Reggie Miller. Maintaining his average of 3.5 made three-pointers per game from last season, Thompson should pass Miller about 22 games into the season.
Klay’s father, Mychal Thompson, mentioned in a radio interview that Reggie Miller was one of Klay’s “basketball idols,” making the No. 31 special for him. If Klay can win a championship like Jason Terry did with that number, it will further endear him to Mavericks fans.
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