Klay Thompson is excited ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season to show everyone what he can still do on the court.
“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.”
“I’m just really excited to show the world I’m still capable of greatness”
Klay Thompson talks about physically feeling the best he’s felt in years.
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Klay bringing up ‘championship hangover’ is quite important. The 2021/22 season was his first season back after two-and-a-half years of recovering from a torn Achilles and a torn ACL. His comeback season going that deep into the summer would’ve made his recovery a little challenging for the 2022/23 season.
Thompson was great on the court last year, managing to elevate his play, and averaged 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists last season. With those injuries now over three years old and Klay getting a long summer to continue his development as a player, he could genuinely emerge as the clear-cut second-best player on the Warriors this season.
If he hopes to get the contract he wants, he will need to play some of the best basketball he has in his career.
Klay Thompson Could Be Testing Free Agency Next Summer
The Warriors don’t seem thrilled at the prospect of giving Klay a long-term extension that could be up upwards of $30 or $35 million annually. Given the team got Draymond Green for four years and $100 million ($25 million annually), the Warriors were hoping Klay could agree to a similar deal to keep the franchise core together.
However, Klay seems to value himself more and is ready to test free agency next season if the Warriors don’t give him what he wants during the season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
“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.”
Even Draymond went into free agency to get the contract that he got, so this may be a normal move for Thompson. Unlike Draymond, the summer of 2024 could have multiple teams with cap space that will make the Warriors pay out of their nose if they hope to keep Klay on their squad.
Warriors Owner Not Worried About Klay Thompson’s Contract
Warriors owner Joe Lacob is in a situation where he has a rookie GM in Mike Dunleavy Jr. dealing with arguably the most important contract extension on the squad. Nonetheless, the owner doesn’t seem concerned about the future and compared Klay’s situation to Draymond’s.
“We want him back. He wants to be back. It’s kind of like Draymond [Green’s contract situation this past summer]. I think everyone needs to just chill a little bit. Let it take its course. My guess is it works out. I can’t control it. I can’t dictate it. You can’t dictate it. Fans can’t dictate it. These things have to take their course. There are different parties involved, but the intentions are really good.”
Even though that seems like Lacob was giving a reassuring message, this isn’t the same as Draymond’s situation. Just by virtue of being one of the greatest shooters in the league, Klay will generate interest. With the new salary rules requiring teams to hit a minimum salary floor, teams can’t hold on to open cap space like they used to.
if Klay hits the market next season after enjoying a healthy year in 2023/24 with solid production, the Warriors may have to overpay heavily to keep him on the squad.
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