After 10 amazing years, and 4 NBA championships, it’s time to have a serious conversation about Klay Thompson. The 33-year-old swingman is trying his best this season in the absence of Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, but his career-low shooting numbers have put the Warriors in a difficult position. According to former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins, the Warriors should move on from Klay entirely if they want to keep winning in the Stephen Curry era.
“It’s more than just shooting a basketball, he’s mentally not there and you can’t blame him. When it was time for Jordan Poole to get his extension, he got it. When it was time for Andrew Wiggins to get his extension, he got it with Golden State. We couldn’t get three days past free agency and Draymond was penciled in. How do you think Klay Thompson is feeling right now?”
Perkins didn’t stop there. After some pushback from fellow analyst Zach Lowe, he laid out some teams that might make a good fit for Thompson at this stage of his career.
“The 76ers… when you look at Tobias Harris, he has an expiring contract. They got some picks that they picked up with James Harden. You look at the New York Knicks, R.J. Barrett. Would you consider doing that? What do the Miami Heat have to offer?”
Is it time for the Warriors to consider trading Klay? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/g4drRZOyXx
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 17, 2023
Is Klay Thompson Washed?
While it’s too early to dismiss an NBA legend like Klay Thompson, he hasn’t looked good at all this season. For the season, he’s averaging just 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game on a career-low 40.1% shooting from the field. Thursday’s game against the OKC Thunder is arguably his worst of the season of far, with just 5 points total on 1 for 10 shooting in 27 minutes.
If he keeps going like this, it will be impossible to deny Thompon’s decline but there’s still a chance he can recover. As a 5x All-Star, future Hall of Famer, and legendary long-distance shooter, Thompson will get the benefit of the doubt in Golden State, and his green light to shoot will never be taken away. At this point, however, Klay Thompson might be better utilized as a third or fourth option on the Warriors than as Stephen Curry’s right-hand man. Those days are clearly over now.
Best Destination For Klay
Just based on history, the Warriors are unlikely to move off of Klay Thompson, but it’s not impossible, given his looming free agency this summer. Even in this state, Klay could help a number of teams across the league. At 6’6″ with capabilities on both ends of the floor, Thompson could be the final piece for a title-contending team. In a new environment, with a new coach and new teammates, Klay might be able to deliver a bounce-back season akin to his best years with the Warriors. At the very least, he’d provide quality floor spacing for his reputation as one of the greatest shooters ever.
For now, a Klay Thompson trade is still a very long way off but it’s easy to see how teams like the Knicks, Lakers, or 76ers might be interested in adding his talents to their lineup. Depending on how this early season plays out, and what the asking price is from the Warriors, we could see some rumors emerge on the trade market this season and that’s uncharted territory for Klay Thompson, who has always been considered a Warriors lifer.
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