Klay Thompson will age gracefully with the Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson is willing to accept a smaller role within Steve Kerr's rotation. The veteran wing has found himself playing reduced minutes of late. The emergence of Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody has begun to affect his playing time late in games. However, Thompson understands that he's entering the twilight of his career, and a role change is inevitable.
“I’ll be 35 next year," Thompson told Logan Murdock of The Ringer." 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. 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.”
Thompson is 34 years old. He's had two major knee injuries in recent years. He's not the star player he once was. However, he is still highly talented and boasts the experience of four NBA championship runs. He can still shoot the three at an elite clip. And he can still guard opposing forwards in the mid-range and in the paint.
That's why Thompson's current contract situation with the Golden State Warriors has been so interesting. He's spent his entire career in the Bay Area. He's been vocal about his desire to retire having only ever played for the Warriors. Yet, he will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. Nevertheless, Golden State is widely expected to retain its championship-winning wing.
It's highly unlikely that Thompson will lose his place in the starting lineup any time soon. However, he may not be present in the closing stages of games. At least, not consistently. Part of becoming a veteran talent is understanding that your role is going to change. Thompson appears willing to accept that fact and adapt accordingly.
Of course, Thompson can still be an integral member of Golden State's rotation. His shooting ability ensures he will always have a role on the team. Basing his game on Reggie Miller and Ray Allen should pay dividends at this stage of his career. Thompson's athleticism and mobility will continue to decline thanks to the unyielding ravages of time. Morphing into an off-ball movement shooter is what will keep him on an NBA floor. Being a reliable locker room leader is what will keep him in the league.
The Warriors could still win another championship with Steph Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green. There's a chance the trio could retire with five rings to their name. The only way for that to happen is for the franchise to keep the veteran core together. Thompson's willingness to sacrifice for the team will determine how the trio's final chapter plays out.
First and foremost, though, Thompson and the Warriors need to agree on terms for a contract extension. Then, we can begin to see how his role changes in the coming years.
More must-reads: