Klay Thompson wants to finish his career with the Golden State Warriors. The team seems to want him back for at least a few more years, but the big question is how much will it cost to make those hopes a reality.
Twelver-year veteran Klay Thompson will go down as one of the greatest players in Golden State Warriors history. He was hugely important in their dynasty squad over the last decade that brought the franchise four NBA championships.
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He was often the player placed on the opposing team’s top scorers in many big moments and he was the ying to Stephen Curry’s legendary scoring yang for some historic teams. However, after missing two seasons after tearing his Achilles and ACL, the 33-year-old is far from the player he once was. That is why some wonder if the organization will sign him to a new long-term deal before he becomes a free agent this summer.
There is certainly risk since Thompson’s decline is noticeable. However, he is still a good player in the league and has amazing chemistry with fellow team great Curry and Draymond Green, so there is a good case to hold on to him and maintain the magic they’ve had. It all means that the price to keep him will be key since the team is already paying absurd sums in luxury tax.
Golden State Warriors could get discount in new deal with Klay Thompson
On Thursday, Sports Illustrated NBA insider Chris Mannix was asked about Klay Thompson’s future in Golden State and explained what he has been told by rival executives might be the number that brings the five-time All-Star back for a few more years.
“Thompson, in the final year of a five-year, $190 million deal, probably lands somewhere in the middle [of what Curry and Green make]. A four-year deal in the $30–35 million per season range sounds reasonable, at least to the NBA executives I talk to,” Mannix wrote. “There is no sign of acrimony between Thompson and the Warriors. Bet on the two sides getting something done.”
Much like the deal Green signed this summer, this potential deal would be less annual money than Thompson’s previous Golden State Warriors contract, but would likely be for the type of years that makes him feel comfortable with taking a bit of a pay cut.