Klay Thompson has spent his entire NBA career with the Warriors after being selected 11th overall in the 2011 draft, making five consecutive All-Star teams from 2015-19 and winning four championships. However, the 34-year-old is set to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, and a return to Golden State appears far from certain.
“Klay Thompson, I’m told, is open to all external options in free agency coming up,” Shams Charania of The Athletic said on FanDuelTV’s Run It Back show (Twitter video link). “He intends to test free agency.
“We know the Warriors want him back — they offered him an extension before the start of the season. … What team out there could step up for Klay Thompson? That is gonna be the big question. But the Warriors will stay in touch with him.”
League sources tell Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic that there’s “mutual interest” between Thompson and the Magic, which has been rumored to be the case for at least two months. Golden State has “made clear” it wants to retain Thompson “at the right price and in the right role,” per The Athletic’s duo.
According to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, Thompson is looking for a deal that covers a minimum of three years. Poole also hears the Warriors’ front office wasn’t alarmed by Thompson’s decision to stop following the team on Instagram, which has become common practice in contract negotiations.
“He’s going to have to be really patient,” Thompson’s friend and former teammate Leandro Barbosa told Poole. “I hope he comes back to the Warriors. I don’t know what’s the situation, but it’s going to be tough. I know the money (in NBA contracts) is going up, and he’s been thinking about the money.
“But I think he needs to be happy. I think that’s the most important thing.”
Poole suggests rival teams could be willing to offer Thompson more money than the Warriors. Still, as Charania mentioned, it’s unclear which teams might target Thompson beyond perhaps Orlando. Slater previously floated the Sixers and Thunder as possibilities, though Thompson would presumably be a fallback option for Philadelphia, which is reportedly focused on Paul George.
Thompson remains one of the league’s top three-point shooters, averaging 9.7 attempts per game while converting 40.0% of his looks beyond the arc over the past two seasons. However, the torn ACL and torn Achilles tendon that cost him two full seasons have sapped his lateral quickness and athleticism, so he isn’t the same player he once was, particularly on defense.
For what it’s worth, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and longtime teammates Stephen Curry and Draymond Green all expressed a desire for Thompson to return after the veteran guard/forward was held scoreless (he went 0-10 from the field) when Golden State was eliminated by Sacramento in the West’s play-in tournament.
Thompson will join the Bahamian national team for its training camp this week in Houston, but he isn’t expected to play in the country’s Olympic qualifying tournament early next month, according to Charania and Slater. Thompson would need official clearance to play for the Bahamas in international competition since he won a gold medal with Team USA in 2016, and that is not expected to occur, per The Athletic.
Thompson’s father Mychal Thompson is from the Bahamas and his brother Mychel is an assistant coach on the national team.
Best strategy 1
We want him back.
Warriors stay in touch with Klay ___above article
Clippers stay in touch with George
Best strategy 2
Hamptons 5
In July 5, owners and star teammates meet with free agent stars after other teams make offers
The purpose of the strategy is to make other GMs look crazy insane
I felt insane after reading this
I got “WTF” after submitting it for a translation in GBT 4o.
Klay is gone. Bye bye. There’s a bit more money out there and he’ll appreciate the challenge of playing elsewhere. It was a good run here but he is out.
That would be great news as far as the Warriors are concerned also. It’s over. Of course they talk nice because of how much Klay Thompson has meant to the Warriors organization the last dozen years. They’ll say the nice things. But they want him to take a walk.
While I think he is just fine offensively, Klay’s defense really was bad last year, at least to my eye. We allowed so many 40+ point quarters while he was out there, that’s never been a thing before.
If Klay leaves they dont have real cap space so they cant sign someone to replace him. They need the 3PT shooting he provides.
The question is more how much more money would another team have to give him to walk and does anybody out there think he is worth that much?
The team is also likely to come at him with options where they may have a nice player lined up on the TPMLE and tell Klay we can have a better team next year but it leaves us with X for you should we make that move? Then your showing Klay how much better the team could be if he takes a little less.
Also the team is probably willing to do a similar one to Draymond where they give him an extra year to get the dollar value down now. Cap is exploding and 4 seasons from now 20M doesnt seem like as much.
I see what you’re saying but I wouldn’t give Klay $25 million per year like Green. Not even 20 for 3. Can’t count on him to make a jump shot in the playoffs. It’s been 2 years in a row that he has fallen off a cliff in the postseason. Plus he doesn’t stop chucking it when he’s ice cold !!
I think they can use Chris Paul’s 30 million to improve the team the way you’re saying about Thompson’s salary slot. Don’t want him back either.
CP3 and Klay are not going to get much of a return…
A sign and trade with Klay maybe the best way to make dime back… 40% is 40%…
CP3s contract is a good way to take on dead money and an ok player, but you have to count on a team wanting to blow it up…
How about like 18/18/21/23 Then you could guarantee like 12M of CP3 and package him with a future 1 for a good role player and sign someone to the TPMLE. They may even be able to give Klay that while flipping CP for someone like Laurie Markkanen if they are willing to move the assets for it, and they cut Loon and offer him the min, or stretch GPIIs money. Keep the wings and add some tall shooting.
Chris Paul is not signing a contract with warriors. He is gone. No team wants his $30 million option. CP3 will sign with the team he feels will get him a ring.
He is what we call a walking trade exception. It means you could lock in any amount of his contract up to 30M for a trade, and the receiving team can either just cut him to keep the rest of the money off the books, or if its for a amount close to the 30M they can trade him somewhere else.
In all likelihood he gets part of the contract guaranteed and cut after the trade he is not the value piece in the deal the pick his he is just tradable salary with no future money on the books
One of the reasons Bob Meyers quit is to avoid the tough situations like this one. The core including Meyers and Kerr have been there forever. How do you not match a contract offer Thompson receives?
Dunleavy doesn’t have this problem. He’s not emotionally attached. He can create his own team and make the best decisions for the Warriors without having his heart tugged every time.
Gary, this cynicism from you is troubling. You are usually one of the more glass half full people on here. Don’t let Sillivan get to you!
I hear you. But this Klay Thompson thing has to end. Don’t want him back at all. I don’t care about the money. Don’t want him back even at 15. My Mind Is Made Up and if he does come back I’d be extremely disappointed.
If Klay could actually defend the 3 spot so Steph+Podz could play at the same time and not be a black hole defensively, Klay would be an asset. Instead he has regressed to a strict 2 who only shoots and does not much else. Thanks for your service, Klay, have fun in Orlando or OKC!
I’m not sure this is the original Gary. That Gary always spelled Myers without the extra e. Not Meyers. Is that really you Gary?
It’s me Claude. I really don’t know how to spell some of these names. I use voice to text and go back and correct what I know, and still miss a ton. But yeah it’s me. How long we been here, 10 years, 12 years?
Eons brother. But you always spelled it correctly I thought. As always, the contract stuff is not my bailywick. But to be honest if they could somehow remove Thompson, Paul and Wiggins, I’d be happy. Like DosXX, it’s time. But Gary, maybe you could clarify for me how the $$ salary cap could be affected. Is it simply removing salaries? I’ve always been a Jimmy Butler fan. Could that happen? Probably would require a first or 2. What say you?
You give me too much credit Claude. I know very little about salary cap stuff.. there’s other guys here that know way more.
I know just enough to get me into trouble lol. You probably know more than I do and I always value your opinion.
Btw, this quote is from ESPN contract specialist and former GM Bobby Marks:
“The deal I’d offer: Two years, $70 million,” Marks wrote.
“Best free-agent fits: Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers.”
Thompson averaged a subpar 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 77 contests during the 2023-24 NBA season. Infamously, he ended the season with a 0-for-10 outing in Golden State’s NBA Play-In Tournament loss to the Sacramento Kings.
However, Marks believes Thompson’s improved play off the bench — where he averaged 19.8 points over 14 games — will help the 13-year Warriors veteran receive a contract north of $30 million annually, especially from teams seeking a proven 3-and-D threat for deep playoff runs.
I think GSW might offer 3/$75 mil. But he’ll refuse that is my guess
Yes I guess that guy is an expert so what he says could be possible. I just don’t see a team giving a one-dimensional 35-year-old guy that kind of money. And I thought he was 0- 11 in the playoff game against the kings? And three for 16 the year before in two playoff games LOL
Here’s what I THINK I know. You can’t sign Klay and trade him for assets. It’s because the Warriors are way over the cap. So you either sign him and keep him or let him walk for nothing.
What I’m hoping is they can trade Chris Paul with Moses Moody and maybe a first or 2, and I don’t know what else to get an impact guy who’s taller than 6-7 LOL
They tried to trade Paul already and everyone said NO. Even with moody he is not worth half of his $30 million. I am about 80% sure Klay will be back unless some team goes crazy and offers him a contract over $100 million for 3 years.
Chat, please let me know how much money GSW frees up or will have by doing this:
Trade Wiggins, GP2 and CP3
Let Klay and Looney walk
Could GSW make a play for Paul George if the above happens?
wrong app, this isn’t gpt. no ai here except a bot.
lol
pass on George. Too old to give a long term deal to which got GSW in the mess they are in. Warriors need to get younger not older and injured.
Good point, I hope we can figure out some lower-level good players who arent stars, maybe undervalued but would thrive around JK, Dray and Steph, and target them in trades.
Its tough to say what they will be doing until CP3 is gone and Thompson makes his decision. From everything the writers that travel with warriors are saying they are going after a big man.
I sure hope they flood the roster with bigs. Force Kerr to stop playing 3 and 4 guards at once!
IMO Klay has to be willing to surrender some of his Shots to JK if he Returns.
My concern with bringing back Klay is will he still be Allowed to take the 2nd most Shots on the Team?
Klay shoots a much Lower FG% than Kuminga and Wiggins.
Last season’s averages:
– Klay = 14.7 attempts @ 43.2%
– Kuminga = 11.6 attempts @ 52.9% - Wiggins = 11.0 attempts @ 45.3%
It’s simple math, the Team is better off if Klay shoots less than JK and Wigs. I get Klay takes more 3-Point attempts than the other two but still.
I wonder if Klay’s ego will allow him to take a diminished role and let Kuminga become the de facto 2nd Scorer on the Team? Or, will he just continue to take Shots away from JK that should otherwise go to JK ?
I agree with you but if Klay Thompson doesn’t shoot, what does he bring to the team now? Horrible press conferences? Folding paper airplanes?
JK can get almost any bucket by driving to the bucket, not “shooting” like Klay, so I agree, yes, JK can be a focal point on a good team. I dislike how Kerr doesn’t play an excellent defender who is very young 40+ mins a game though, really no excuse for that insanity. We need defense, we need Kuminga playing 40+ min per game. Playing him 30 when he has no foul trouble is just bad coaching. If GSW can get Kerr away from his “finding minutes for 14 players” and just focus on the top 8 as the season ends, GSW can win another title.
Still have no idea why Kerr had minutes restrictions in the play-in game, its win or go home, who cares if Steph is slightly gassed, he’s still better than 75% of the league when he is. He also should be able to play 45+ in a win or go home game no matter what.
Does it really matter what happens with Klay?
They aren’t contending as long as Draymond is taking up space on the salary sheets…
Plus they have CP3 to deal with…
Unless they strip down to Kuminga and Curry I don’t see much that will change their standing… Might as well just ride the good times for 3 more years…
I still think Draymond Green provides value on the floor. Good defense, maybe a couple other things. Doesn’t need to take shots.
Hoping for the best and that Dunleavy can work miracles with Chris Paul, Klay Thompson and the other roster maybes.
Draymond was excellent last season. You dont know ball. He doesn’t even make that much.
“You don’t know ball.” I’ve only heard or read one other guy say that phrase exactly. WarriorsfaninUK. Who of course has disappeared and here you are lol.
Also I don’t know any Daveys other than those from the UK. Probably born in the 50s or 60s Davey Jones era from the Monkeys. Makes sense to me.
Welcome back we missed you.
I’m from twitter? Its a routine saying over there!
Rats, I thought I nailed it. Back to the drawing board. Welcome anyway, glad to have you.
IDK Fart I’m from Twitter is the same response AsfanintheUK gave me when I called him out.
Gary, I believe Davey was responding to Scarlett saying Scarlett doesn’t “know ball”. And I agree with Davey because Scarlett doesn’t “know ball” if he believes Green “takes up space”.
exactly, its just a saying, if its banned around here i will stop using it and say “your basketball knowledge is poor” instead!
“He’s been thinking about the money” is probably the most damning statement here pertaining to the Warriors’ chances.
I always wonder why star players who’ve already accumulated generational-type wealth wouldn’t take a somewhat reduced salary on his their deal to stay with a top-tier team with which they’re comfortable, a team whose fans love them, and the area in which they’ve built a home with their family. And this is a genuine “I wonder why”, not a judgment.
Also, as someone who is perpetually broke, I do understand the allure of money.
#1 they’re not a top-tier team anymore. No more rings are coming in fact they can’t even make the playoffs. He might as well bail out now.
As far as the money.., boy it’s never enough. With taxes and your family and extended family and your friends all wanting a piece, and you buy every time you go out, and pay for everything every time you go on vacation or Airbnb.
It’s a drain.., that money has wings. You always need just a little bit more. Have to get it while you still can because when you’re 40 it ain’t going to be there from basketball salaries.
I am tired of people saying do it for Curry sign Klay to what he wants. They did that with GP2 brought back Curry BFF when it didn’t make them any better. Its a tough off season but as long as they shed some payroll it will be a good offseason. They are no longer a top 4 team in the west so they need to get younger and longer in the off season.
I refuse to believe Steph, Dray, Kuminga, Moody, TJD and Podz are not a fine core to build around. GSW can swing themselves back into a title if they pair 6 players who fit better with those 6 mentioned, especially if they clear money by moving Klay, Looney, CP3, Wiggins and GP2.
I am surprised no team is going after Wiggins he is a good third option on a few teams. GP2 might be a tough trade since he is owed $9 million. Might fit a team like Lakers that need defense.
Agree with the your “core” except Moody & Podz. Cleaning house is not the answer and the 23-24 team Warriors wasn’t as bad as some portray. Granted, they weren’t title contenders last season. I’d bring back most of the ’23-24 team (yes, including Wiggins, CP3, & GP2) along with sign or trade for a part time defensive presence in the middle to go along with Looney & Dray.
Let Klay walk if he’s not willing to accept a different role and a salary of 18-25M a year for 2-3 years. See if something can be worked out with CP3 regarding salary too.
The window has passed for GSW. Same for Klay if he’s looking for a big payday. Probably best to part ways – less of a luxury tax payment for GSW and Klay can play vet off the bench for someone like Orlando. GSW should also look at moving anyone else not named Curry or Kuminga. Build from there.
Oh look, a professional athlete unfollowed his team on social media…
You know how it is. Negotiating tactic. You take a little bit away and have them wanting. Not going to work here I’m afraid. They’re holding the door open and have his stuff all packed up. The sooner he leaves the sooner we can get that Jersey up in the rafters. Now that would be a cool moment and well deserved.
Klay could still provide some value as a bench piece. But if we’re talking $15-million plus, he’s underwater. He’s a taller Damion Lee or Landry Shamet at this point in his career. Shamet makes $11 mil per year and that’s an overpay. His defense is gone, he can’t attack the rim, and he was never a capable playmaker. What does he have left besides his 3-pt shot, which was inconsistent as hell the past few years and appears to be getting worse?
Bingo.
The market and media opinion is kinda crazy on this one.
On one side you have all the fans saying he’s washed, he doesn’t okay defence, he’s not even a good shooter anymore. Blah blah blah whatever
On the other side you’ve got his friend saying he’s been thinking about the money for some time.
You’ve then got the fact he wants 3 years minimum.
GSW were engaged with extension talks and ever since it’s been team after team linked with him…..
I thought 2 years 40 mil would be a really good deal for him and it seems as if everyone (fans) valued him much less and now it seems as if he’s wanting even more than that and teams are showing interest.
My guess is he’s going to get himself a really nice deal and everyone on here will freak out and so it’s an overpay etc but I still have some faith in him. Besides the injury which hasn’t helped, he’s still a really efficient shooter and puts up his usual amount of rebounds and assists. It’s just obvious he can’t be the second scoring option for a playoff side anymore. You put him on the kings as the third option off Fox and Sabonis and sharing shots with Murray he’d be perceived a lot differently
I think Klay can be a starter on a title winning team, he just needs to play only as strict 2/SG with good defenders around him.
100% Al Horford just got a title as a 39 year old starting centre …. Klay can definitely win another title as a SG just needs to be with the right team
If he indeed declined a 2/48M, he’s a fool. But that being said, there’s a few desperate teams with cap space. If any team offers him a 3 or 4 year deal worth 24-30 per, he’s gone. I do believe he gets the Gordon Hayward deal.
MLE Boston hahahahaha
Replace Hauser
I did the math 3 months ago and this is the time for Warriors to re-tool (not rebuild) and that’s what Dunleavy is going to do. For the first time in many years GSW will avoid the luxury tax and to do so they MUST let CP3 and Klay walk. No sign and trade, nothing, just let them go. Then trade Wiggins for a couple of role players that make a good fit and saving about 5 or 7 mill in that trade and they will have around 20 mill to spend in a good player without falling in the tax. So, these 3 newcomers with Curry,Green,Kuminga,Pod,Payton,Moody,Looney and the rest you can have a competitive team if they make the right additions and finally they will save tons of money
Everyone hates him. Let him go