NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — The Golden State star never wavered on his hope to remain with the franchise for the remainder of his NBA career. So before the Warriors' two marquee free agents hit the open market more than two months ago, Klay Thompson shared with Kevin Durant his hopes that Durant would feel the same way.

“I mostly just let him be, but I told him we could have the greatest dynasty ever,” Thompson told USA TODAY Sports.

It might sound weird that Durant would join the Brooklyn Nets after winning two NBA championships and two Finals MVPs in three Finals appearances with the Warriors. Or that he declined a five-year, $221 million offer to play at the Warriors’ privately financed arena in San Francisco beginning next season.

Still, those on the Warriors anticipated and understood that Durant wanted to leave partly to prove he can win at a high level elsewhere. Thompson maintained feeling the same way even after connecting with Durant on Facetime about rectifying the Warriors’ Game 6 loss to the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals.

“A change of heart, man. But I’m never going to hold it against him,” Thompson said of Durant’s free-agency decision. “He wanted to go to New York City. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Thompson appeared in an upbeat mood at the Thompson Family Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament at Pelican Hill Resort last Thursday. The Thompson family plans to donate all of its proceeds to relief efforts in the Bahamas, including food and medical supplies, for those affected by Hurricane Dorian.

He posed for photos on the red carpet with girlfriend, actress and model, Laura Harrier. About two months after injuring his ACL in his left knee in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Thompson walked without any noticeable limp. Instead of bemoaning his uncertain return or the Warriors’ diminished roster, Thompson sounded more appreciative for the Warriors signing him to a five-year, $190 million max deal immediately after free agency began.

“I can’t complain, man,” Thompson said. “The Warriors showed their loyalty by paying me. I just can’t wait to get back to work, whenever that is.”

When will that be? Thompson and those around him concede they have no idea.

HURRICANE DORIAN:Donald Trump's words about Bahamians 'hurt my heart'

Thompson reported remaining in what he called “the grassroot stages of rehab” that has lately entailed set shooting and ball handling drills. Thompson will not have clarity on his next steps until the Warriors reevaluate him when he reports to the team’s media day Sept. 30.

Do not be surprised if Thompson does not play until 2020. As his father Mychal Thompson said, “by January or February, he’ll know exactly where he’ll stand.” His son suggested he already knew where he and the Warriors stand shortly before training camp begins.

“We won championships. So I always expect to win a championship,” Klay Thompson said. “Nothing short of that.”

Thompson’s remarks would not have raised many eyebrows in the past five years. The Warriors won three NBA titles in five Finals appearances, including two featuring Thompson, Durant, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala. Less than a month after losing to Toronto in the 2019 Finals, though, the Warriors’ identity changed si

First, they lost Durant. To offset his departure, the Warriors acquired All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade with Brooklyn. Since that move subjected the Warriors to a hardcap, the Warriors dealt Iguodala in a cost-cutting move to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors also waived veteran stalwart Shaun Livingston before he eventually retired. Before and after those moves, the Warriors signed a combined eight new players through free agency and the NBA Draft.

“I’ll miss Andre’s leadership. I’ll miss Shaun’s savvy vetness. I’ll (miss) Kevin’s talent. He was a true joy to play with,” Klay Thompson said. “But that’s the nature of our sport. I’m happy with the way we retooled. We got some great young talent. So I’m excited with what the future holds.”

So much that Klay and Mychal Thompson consider the Warriors a playoff team.

The reasons? The Warriors still have Curry under contract through the 2020-21 season. They agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension this summer with Green. They remain confident that Russell can offset Thompson’s initial absence with additional scoring and playmaking. They sound optimistic that Thompson will return with the same outside shooting and lockdown defense that already yielded three NBA championships, five All-Star appearances and an NBA All-Defensive second team honor.

“He’s hoping to get back and be better than ever,” Mychal Thompson said of his son.

After all, Klay Thompson had played in 615 out of a possible 640 regular-season games in his eight-year NBA career. He also appeared in all 120 playoff games until sitting out against the Raptors in Game 3 because of left hamstring tightness. Thompson then played in the next three games before tearing his ACL in Game 6 after Danny Green fouled him on a dunk attempt late in the third quarter. After Thompson walked with help to the locker room, he returned to the court on his own and made two foul shots before exiting the game.

“So many times he told me he’ll be OK even though he was hurting,” said former Warriors teammate Zaza Pachulia, who currently serves as a team consultant. “He never wants to back down. He always wants to stay on the court and do what he does best and play basketball.”

That moment will have to wait for at least for a few more months. So for now, Thompson appeared intent on focusing on the present.

He welcomed and bantered with Warriors rookies Jordan Poole and Alen Smailagic when they arrived to his welcome party. Recently, Thompson has spent his time on a boat with his girlfriend. And Thompson expressed both relief his family members in the Bahamas have stayed out of harm’s way and concern for those who could not.

“It’s hard to even put it in perspective,” Thompson said. “If I can raise awareness and get money to get supplies to these people and their family, it’s the least I can do. I’m just honored to be in this position.”

Follow Mark Medina on Twitter @MarkG_Medina