If he doesn’t sign a contract extension between now and next June 30, Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2024.
However, speaking to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Thompson downplayed any urgency in his contract situation, suggesting that “it’s not going to be a thing” and expressing a strong desire to remain in Golden State for the rest of this career.
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“Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” Thompson said. “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.
“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.”
Thompson will earn $43.22MM in 2023/24, the final season of the five-year, $190MM contract he signed in 2019. It’s unclear exactly what his next deal might look like. His maximum salary projects to be upwards of $50MM, but he’s extremely unlikely to command the max as he enters his age-34 season.
[RELATED: Dunleavy Optimistic On Kerr, Thompson Extensions]
As Slater writes, Thompson won’t be looking to squeeze every possible dollar out of the Warriors when the two sides negotiate an extension. Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green accepted pay cuts when they signed their latest contracts with the team, but each also received a four-year, nine-figure commitment and a player option. Thompson and the Warriors could reach a similar compromise.
“I know if I just do my job and I’m in shape and I compete at my highest level, I’m going to make money in this league for a long time,” Thompson said. “So I don’t worry about it. I’m blessed beyond measure. Obviously you want to make the most in the window you have as an athlete. But I’m not going to let that get in the way of winning a championship. When you win, everything else will be taken care of.”
Because he’s on an expiring contract, Thompson will remain extension-eligible throughout the regular season even if he and the Warriors don’t reach an agreement before opening night.
Klay will take a pay cut to stay playing for the warriors. Only 2 teams that he would consider leaving the warriors for is Lakers and Trailblazers. I doubt they would give him a max contract to leave the warriors.
Why would he want to go to the Lakers or Trailblazers? I’ve never heard him say anything like that.
I haven’t heard it either but he played college ball in Washington and of course his dad broadcasts for the Lakers.
Um… his dad played for both teams. That’s the connection. And it’s been put out there before when he was coming up for FA last time.
99.9 @z-a 2 Umm…A million things are said about players destinations. 99.9% of them are false. His father also played for San Antonio. Since he has family in the Bahamas, and loves to sail, Sacramento, New Orleans, Memphis, Houston, Washington, and Miami are also possible destinations.
Lol… my guy why are you pulling these destinations out of left field.
He has connections to both teams. Has he uttered the words to anyone publicly? No, why would he? The Warriors have paid him his money.
But did his father discuss him going to the Lakers last time he was up for free agency? Yes.
link to lebronwire.usatoday.com
Lakers and Blazers are clear connections. This isn’t some huge leap. Blazers less so, had less discussed by media outlets, but he has a connection from his Dad and where he grew up. Also the Lakers tried to trade for him in 2014. Do they still want him? Idk. Does he make sense for them now? Not really.
The cities are not random. The guy regularly takes his yacht to games. There is a yacht harbor across the street from Chase Center. He is obsessed with being out on the water with Rocco; his dog. Connections from 10 or more years ago may not be as strong as you think they are. All the cities, except for San Antonio, have recreational boating facilities. So, why isn’t possible that he would want to go to those places?
More of a how than why Q at this point
Both teams (Por /lakers) are scarping up against the Super 2 tax already for next year
The both currently have the TPMLE (5 M) to spend as their big acquisition for next year so unless Klay develops an allergy to money idk how this becomes feasible
His dad played for the Lakers and his favorite player has always been Kobe. Trailblazers are close to where he grew up and ha said he would have loved playing for Sonics if they got a team. like I said only 2 teams he would consider playing if things don’t go warriors way.
When Bryce Harper was a Free Agent, everyone said he was going to either sign with the Dodgers, or Padres. He lives in Vegas. His family is there. He is a Mormon with its strong community. He got married in San Diego. Plenty of connections. But, he signs with Philadelphia. Not every player does what you think they will do.
$330 million reason he signed with Phillies #1 they offered him the most money. I think Klay will resign with Warriors. Klay doesn’t comes across as a player that feels he is entitled to the most money.
He probably wants 3 yr $100m or 4 yr $120m.
Somehow, Warriors need to get it down to 3 yrs for $75m.
Udonis Haslem? Seriously? Last 7 years of his career was just a roster waste of a space. No more than 16 games the last 7 seasons. 16,14,10,4,1,13,7. Not averaging 10 min each of those seasons. He was nothing but an active assistant coach.
He only played 12 seasons.
Veterans are important. I understand you love watching elementary school kids chucking up shots. There is a reason the Heat made it to the finals