Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson is set to hit NBA free agency for the first time in his brilliant career. There have also been widespread rumors that the Golden State Warriors star might be playing out his final season with the team.
Thompson, 34, was the subject of rumors leading up to the NBA trade deadline earlier this month. While nothing came to fruition on that end, Thompson’s struggles this season coupled with the Warriors’ financial issues have led to rumors of a potential divorce this summer.
About that? Thompson clarified things a bit in talking with The Ringer’s Logan Murdock. When asked if he was willing to take on a reduced role to finish his career with the Warriors, Thompson answered in the affirmative.
“Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ll be 35 next year. At 35, coming off the ACL and an Achilles [tear] and still have the ability to be a really good player. Maybe not the guy who scored 60 in three quarters and scored an NBA record 37 points in a quarter, but still a great threat out there,” Klay Thompson on his future with the Warriors.
“I’ve modeled my game after Reggie [Miller] and Ray [Allen], and those guys were incredibly effective until their late 30s. So I plan on kind of following that mold.”
This is a relatively interesting turn of events for Thompson and the Warriors. It was noted ahead of the 2023-24 season that contract talks between Thompson and the organization were dead. He was reportedly looking at a four-year deal worth between $30-$35 million annually.
Given how Thompson has performed this season, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll get a contract anywhere near that figure on the open market.
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Klay Thompson could finish his career with the Golden State Warriors
Thompson is in the midst of a frustrating season. He has found himself benched late in close games recently, adding to the frustration level. All said, the five-time All-Star is struggling big time.
- Klay Thompson stats (2023-24): 16.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 41% shooting, 37% 3-point
In his first full season back after suffering the aforementioned injuries, Thompson averaged 21.9 points on 41% shooting. Those numbers are down a tad in 2023-24.
Even then, it makes perfect sense for the Warriors to retain the core three of Thompson, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry. It’s pretty much going to be all about price point during the summer.
If we take Thompson at his word, a reduced role and team-friendly contract could very well be in the cards.