Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who is fresh off an offseason that saw him win a gold medal for the United States in the World Cup and find himself in multiple trade rumors involving Kevin Love, is reportedly far apart in negotiation extensions with his current team.
According to CSN Bay Area, there is about $2-$3 million annual difference between what Thompson wants and what the Warriors are currently offering.
As of Thursday morning, the sides remain $2-3 million a year apart, according to NBA sources.
The dithering seems pointless when all parties consistently state their desire for a deal. The Warriors want it. Thompson wants it. His teammates want it. And there is no indication Klay’s agent, Bill Duffy, has lost the optimism he expressed last month.
Thompson is seeking a max deal, or something close – at least $15 million per year – while the Warriors, according to sources, hover around $13 million per.
The shooting guard is set to become a restricted free agent following this season. He averaged 18.4 points and shot 42 percent from three-point range last season.
While the NBA is expected to see an increase in its salary cap in the coming years due to the new television deal, that will not take effect until 2016-2017, at the earliest. This means that Golden State would likely have to reach into the luxury tax in order to sign Thompson to the extension he is seeking. That’s something the organization has been against in the past.
If the two sides cannot work out a long-term deal, there stands a chance that Thompson is traded either during this upcoming season or in the offseason. And to be honest, that’s something to keep an eye on.
Photo: USA Today