Klay Thompson is coming to the end of his Warriors contract and will be playing for a long-term extension this season. The club legend clearly wants to agree on a contract extension, saying to The Athletic that he wants to retire with the Golden State Warriors.
“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.”
Thompson further added.
“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.”
The Warriors have clearly made moves this summer that indicate they want to keep Klay Thompson long-term. Draymond Green is villainized for the Jordan Poole trade, but moving Poole also opened up flexibility in the Warriors’ books, which would enable Klay to get an extension.
He’s making $43.2 million this season, but it’s highly unlikely his next contract fetches him a number like that.
Klay Thompson Implied A Possible Extension Could Come Soon
Thompson was asked about his contract status at the start of media day and he did indicate hope that a new contract would be agreed on soon.
“I think it’s possible (I sign an extension soon) and if not, life is still great. Like, I’m still playing basketball, in my 13th year in the NBA, so I have no complaints. Whatever the future has in store, like, I’ve done so many great things in this uniform, and I know there are many more memories to create. Whatever happens, life is great. I can’t complain. I’ve had an incredible run here, and I look forward to making more great memories with the guys.”
Thompson is among the core trio of this franchise’s greatest era, alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Warriors just took care of Green with a contract extension, with Thompson being the only one of the three not under contract for the long haul.
He averaged 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in a solid campaign through the 2022/23 regular season.
Will The Warriors Extend Klay Thompson (And For How Much)?
From a chemistry perspective, letting Klay Thompson leave as a free agent or trading him away would be a disaster. Curry, Green, and Thompson need to be together. Trying to upgrade in talent by letting Klay go would be a disastrous step that could end their championship window.
The team doesn’t have many options outside of extending Thompson because of everything he means to the franchise. He is a symbol of winning and if they were willing to extend Green after he single-handedly nuked the team’s chemistry and chances of winning last season, extending the easy-going Thompson should be a no-brainer.
A contract netting him about $20 to $25 million a year would be fair for both parties. It ensures Thompson is still paid well while taking a slight cut for his advancing age, similar to what Draymond did. With the cap rising, it makes it a more palatable contract for the Warriors to manage on their books as well.
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