Klay Thompson Wants To Remind Everyone He’s Capable Of Greatness

Klay Thompson is ready to prove to the world that he's still one of the best players in the NBA next season.

5 Min Read

Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

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.”

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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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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