Klay Thompson is all but confirmed to be entering free agency next summer after contract extension talks with the Warriors broke down, according to Shams Charania.
“The Warriors and Klay Thompson have been discussing an extension, but there’s a significant gap between the years and money. The negotiations are at a dead point. Thompson wants much more than they’re offering, in both years and salary… As of right now, all signs point to Klay Thompson going to free agency next summer and not getting an extension done.”
Reporting on @RunItBackFDTV: There's a significant gap in extension negotiations for Golden State and Klay Thompson, league sources say, as current signs point to the four-time champion going into 2024 free agency. pic.twitter.com/0U0wSXo0hR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2023
Thompson is one of the greatest shooters the league has seen and an integral member of the Warriors core. There aren’t four banners in the Chase Center if Klay, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green weren’t all on the squad together. Moving off a dynastic core isn’t easy, so my money is on Klay re-signing next summer.
Draymond Green had a similar situation where the Warriors and he couldn’t agree on a contract extension during the season. However, his solid play ultimately landed him a 4-year, $100 million extension with the franchise in free agency. Klay will be hoping to pull off something similar, but possibly for an even bigger amount.
Klay Thompson Going For A ‘Prove It’ Year
Thompson has told the Warriors what he’s worth and the franchise has told him they don’t agree with that. That has to be rough after everything Klay has done for them, but that just means Thompson needs to earn his keep on the court this season. With Jordan Poole gone, the Warriors will need Klay to be an even greater offensive threat.
Thankfully, Klay is motivated to remind everyone he’s one of the best players that the league has seen in this generation.
“No championship hangover this summer. I was very driven and I worked extremely hard. I know I don’t have 10 more years to do this so I have to enjoy every single day. i feel great, this is the best I have physically felt in years. I am excited to show the world I am still capable of greatness.”
Given Klay is a season-and-a-half removed from his return to the court after a torn ACL and Achilles; he definitely must have worked in a way he couldn’t have last season. With the Warriors being a second-round exit, they also got to unwind after their title win last summer, which would have refreshed Klay and the team as a whole.
Klay Thompson Leaning To Return To Retire With Golden State?
Thompson recently revealed he wants to retire as a one-team man, explaining why that’s important to him.
“Yes. Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. To play for one franchise, man? That’s so rare. In any sport… It’s some really legendary stuff. Even what Udonis Haslem did. He’s revered in Miami. Locally. That’s what I cherish. Going around the country, going around the world and people from Northern California or Warriors fans in general are just so prideful about the Warriors. And I was here before banners were hung up. So in a way, it’s our baby. You want to ride it out. I’ve just been so lucky to be a part of this franchise. It’d be so hard to envision myself in another uniform.”
Just like Klay, many people around the world cannot imagine Thompson in another jersey. We’ll find out next summer if Klay is going to be a one-team man or if he’s on the movie to maximize the money he can get before his retirement.
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