The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a major crossroads with their dynastic run pretty much over. Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green has been suspended indefinitely after yet another ridiculous and violent on-court antic. Golden State finds itself at 10-13 on the season and on the outside looking in when it comes to the NBA Playoff race.
Will the Warriors’ big three of Green, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry be broken up any time soon? While Green’s future in San Francisco is certainly in question, we’re hearing more about Thompson.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Golden State offered the impending free agent a two-year, $48 million contract during the summer. That offer has since been pulled. There is now no extension offer on the table for the future Hall of Famer.
As recently as this past summer, Thompson was said to be looking for a max contract from the Warriors. It came after a stellar regular season in which the four-time champ returned from ACL and Achilles’ injuries to put up some of his best numbers. It also came after major struggles during the NBA Playoffs.
Said contract demand would’ve paid Thompson $272 million over five years. It’s obviously not a number the Warriors were willing to pay out given his age (33) and the aforementioned injury history.
Related: Golden State Warriors could trade Klay Thompson
Golden State Warriors have tough decisions to make
As noted above, Green’s future with the Warriors is firmly up in the air. He’s meeting with the team’s brass at the start of his suspension to discuss a path forward. Given what we’ve seen from the big man over the past calendar year-plus, Golden State has to think long and hard about keeping him.
From a broader perspective, it’s one thing for owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber to bust out the cash for a record payroll if a team is winning. It’s a completely different thing to have a record payroll and exist in mediocrity. Ever since winning the 2022 NBA Finals, mediocrity has defined the Warriors.
As for what we’ve seen from Klay this season, mediocre would be a positive view of his play.
- Klay Thompson stats (2023-24): 15.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 40% shooting, 34% 3-point
Considered one of the greatest shooters of all-time, it seems that wear and tear has caught up to Klay. It also makes no sense for the Warriors’ brass to let loyalty override the obvious. Thompson is not worth a long-term contract. It might not even make sense to bring him back at next season given everything we’re seeing in Northern California right now.