Golden State Warriors Guard, Klay Thompson, might not there for life as many suggested. After this season ends, there is speculation of him becoming free agency, since there isn’t any talk of a contract extension.
Shams Charania, a journalist of The Athletic and Stadium, says the negotiations are at a dead point, which could lead to something Klay nor the warriors want.
There is s a gap in years and money…..Klay wants much more than what the Warriors are offering overall in both years and salary.
Impacts of Klay Thompson in the Warriors dynasty
The problem with this is that though Klay does want his money worth, he’s also dedicated to the team that gave him a chance. Since being drafted first by the Warriors in 2011, Klay Thompson has been in the league for 13 seasons. He’s a four time National Basketball Association champion, a five time all-star, and made the All-NBA third team twice.
He was also in the All-Rookie First team and won the three-point contest champion in 2016. Many acknowledge him as one of the greatest modern-day sharpshooting wing defenders at this position. Klay Thompson has some of the most inhuman stats and records, like scoring 12 or more three pointers in a game, multiple times.
You Get a Contract, You Get a Contract, You…. might have to wait
Lets compare this situation to how the Warriors handled their veterans contracts extension to his teammates. His backcourt partner Stephan Curry got a four year, $215 million year contact extension. Warriors Forward, Dreymond Green, originally declined the first extension offer during this summer. Then he decided to resigned with a four year extension, but for $100 million. The Golden State Warriors have even made decisions on extending some rookie contracts
According to Mercury News, Warriors aimed to be under $190 millions as its the second level of the luxury tax. This will be difficult because of the $115 million committed to the other members of the teams starting five.
Is he worth the extension?
With the news of him dealing with contract trouble comes two questions, is he worth the contract and what teams would he want to be on.
The answer to the first question should be a undoubtable yes. On one hand, he’s suffered some pretty major injures, like a torn ACL in 2019-20 season and a rupture Achilles in the 2020-21 season. Both took Klay Thompson out of crucial moments with the 2019-20 injury taking him out the NBA finals during game 6 and 2020-21’s taking him out for the season. He’s also 33 years old, usually the age that most NBA stars abilities start to regress. These are valid reasons the organization hasn’t made any move’s toward his contract.
On the other hand, the Warriors star still has more in the tank. Even with his age and injury history, Klay Thompson has proven to still be a reliable asset from the team. After the season ending injury, Klay put up some of his best statistical numbers with 21.9 points per game with 41.1 percent shooting. He’s not the dangerous shooter he once was, but he’s still a threat if left unguarded.
Klay – Warriors Jersey = Error
Now to tackle the second question about the contract stall, do moves like these, give him reasons to leave? Fans have seen NBA stars in different uniforms, but seeing Klay Thompson wearing something other than a Warriors jersey would look unreal.
Klay himself said that him in another jersey after his tenure with the Warriors would be weird. “I’ve been so lucky to be a part of this franchise. It’d be hard to envisions myself in another uniform.” From the looks of it, he’s open for the choice to leave, but his heart is still with San Francisco. “Our fans in general are just so prideful about the Warriors,” he said. “I was here before the banner were hung up, so in a way its our baby.”
Thompson wants to stay with the Warriors because the commitment to one team is a rare achievement. Legends like Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowinski, and Tim Duncan come to mind as players who’ve started and retire on the same team they played for.
“To play for one club is unbelievable,” Klay Thompson stated, ” Even what Udonis Haslem did. He’s revered in Miami. Locally, That’s what I cherish.”
Written By Daylontie Jasper
Sources:
Bleacher Report: Warriors rumors Klay Thompson contract talks at dead point significant gap exist; By Timothy Rapp
The Athletic: Warriors, Klay Thompson extension negotiations stall over pay, years discrepancy; By Shams Charania and Anthony Slater
The Mercury News: Warriors Thompson not near contract extention ahead of seasons opener report; by Micheal Nowels
Feature Image Courtesy of Thomas Hawk ‘s Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of nikk_la‘s Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
