The Golden State Warriors are going to play out the 2023/24 season with the likely free-agency drama of Klay Thompson hanging over their head. The Warriors star is extension eligible right now with his contract running out at the end of the season, with Adrian Wojnarowski revealing that the player and team are far apart in terms of an extension right now.
“I’m told that there has been absolutely no progress on a Klay Thompson extension in Golden State. They are both still apart on years and money, and there’s a very real possibility that Klay Thompson goes into free agency next summer without a deal.”
Klay Thompson could hit free agency 👀
"I'm told that there has been absolutely no progress on a Klay Thompson extension in Golden State…They are both still apart on years and money, and there's a very real possibility that Klay Thompson goes into free agency next summer… pic.twitter.com/Lwc97YvzTo
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BASKETBALLonX) October 16, 2023
Klay Thompson averaged 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists last season and was incredibly valuable for the Warriors. He was leading the teams to wins when Stephen Curry was out injured at multiple points in the season.
Without Klay’s steady offense with or without Curry, the Warriors were able to hold on to a top-six seed, so he proved his value to the franchise last season.
Adrian Wojnarowski Thinks The Warriors Could Be In Trouble
With Thompson likely heading into free agency without a contract and possibly being recruited by some other franchise, Adrian Wojnarowski detailed how this is becoming the first real test for the Warriors’ front office in ensuring they can keep their star trip together.
“If Klay Thompson duplicates the kind of season he had last season, 41% three-point shooting, led the league with 301 threes. It was his best points per game, almost 22 points per game after several years. In the marketplace, teams value shooting and high-level wing defense. For Golden State, this could become the first real test of keeping together that core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.”
Thompson is one of the most valuable wing players in the NBA. If he’s hitting the market, regardless of age and injury history, some team will throw an absolute bag his way. Many experts predict Thompson could receive a contract for up to $35 million, with the Warriors likely trying to get him to sign for the $25 million per year that Draymond Green also extended for this summer.
He would be the perfect veteran to round out any young contenders that look to push for the playoffs, or the perfect short-term signing for teams to not only maintain long-term flexibility for an expensive short-term deal but also to build a winning culture on their squad.
Klay Thompson Wants To Be A Lifelong Warrior
Klay Thompson recently came out and professed his undying love for the Warriors franchise. He expressed a desire to be a one-team legend for the squad, earning the same sort of respect in Northern California that Udonis Haslem enjoys in Miami.
“Yes. Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. To play for one franchise, man? That’s so rare. In any sport. Football. Baseball. Basketball. Australian Rules Football. To play for one club is insane. It’s some real legendary stuff. Even what Udonis Haslem did. He’s revered in Miami. Locally. That’s what I cherish.”
Haslem took a major pay cut in 2010 that allowed the team to sign LeBron James and Chris Bosh, which earned him enough goodwill for the rest of his career.
Thompson was given a max contract by the Warriors when his ACL was torn in the summer of 2019, with Klay ultimately not playing for two-and-a-half seasons of that five-year contract. It’ll be interesting to see how this shakes out because if Klay leaves Golden State, I don’t think the franchise will compete for a title again with just Curry and Draymond.
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