“Coming here is just such a fresh start and feeling wanted again, and I bring great value,” Klay Thompson said about his move to the Dallas Mavericks. Spoiler, Shaquille O’Neal is in line with the view. The Lakers legend having been traded from the franchise after winning multiple rings had a thing or two to say about Thompson’s update after he moved from the franchise he had played for his whole career. Having previously called Thompson a dark horse, Shaq is upbeat about the former Golden State Warriors star.

Speaking to WFAA, during his visit to an event at Town East Mall in Mesquite, O’Neal was asked about the Mavericks’ latest superstar signing. “I think it was a great pick.” The question was asked when Shaq and JCPenney collaborated in offering a unique experience for 20 students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas.

“We all know Klay is a deadly shooter, you know, last year he was struggling. But, you know, when you play for organization and you do so much and it seems like they get rid of you that gives you that extra spark.“Shaq continued, “So I know Klay has about three or four more years left. So I know he’s gonna definitely be trying to prove something.”

Thompson received the desired three-year deal $50 million contract from the Mavs. Thus now effectively forming a Big 3 with Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, and himself. Shaq believes, had the trio been formed last season, the Dallas Mavericks might have clinched a win. “So, a great move by the Mavericks, and I wish them well,” he said.

Klay Thompson received a 2-year $48 million offer by the Warriors but reportedly declined because he felt disrespected. Nonetheless, the star small forward is optimistic about the move; even to say he believes he makes a good fit to the team. The Warriors have received two future second-round picks from the Mavs. Even though Thompson was benched and had fewer regular minutes, Shaq still believed him to be the game-changer.

Shaquille O’Neal feels Klay was the primary reason for the Warriors winning

According to Shaquille O’Neal, on his podcast 3 months ago Thompson would be the key contributor for the Warriors. “But it’s not (Curry). (It’s) Klay Thompson. And then for a guy like that, all I need is two games,” Shaq explained. “Because everybody’s going to do what they do, but if you get Klay to give me two games… and then what I know and respect about Klay, he ain’t no punk.”

Shaq felt that people were killing him by saying ‘oh he’s coming off the bench,’ ‘you lost it.’ But Thompson was still playing, and he could change the narrative in any one of those games. So he doesn’t understand why everybody was counting Thompson out.

The deal also included the Mavs sending guard Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets. Just last year, Green signed a 3-year $41 million deal with Luka Doncic and Co. So the Mavs needed a catch-and-shoot star after their final performance. And in Thompson, they have just received one. In the last 19 games for the Dubs, he has averaged 19.7 points.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.