It’s been a rough season for Klay Thompson and the Warriors, and it received a fitting end on Tuesday after a blowout loss to the Sacramento Kings. Now, with Thompson up for free agency in a few months, his basketball future is up for grabs and a few teams are in play.
“There have been no substantive talks between the team and Thompson’s representatives about a new deal for months now, sources said,” wrote Zach Lowe. “Both sides surely took note of the four-year, $135 million extension Jrue Holiday — almost exactly Thompson’s age — signed with the [Boston] Celtics last week. Thompson will draw some interest in free agency, league sources said.”
It’s no secret that Klay intends to test the marketplace this summer and he will take the time to meet with various teams on a new deal. At 34 years old, nothing is off the table for Klay and he could just as easily retire as re-sign with the Warriors for another season.
But after scoring 0 points in Golden State’s elimination game on Tuesday, Klay’s value is at an all-time low and his future has never been so uncertain. At the very least, a major pay cut is a given for Thompson and it will be necessary if he wants to stay with the Warriors long-term.
After making $43 million this season, Klay’s next contract will be a wake-up call into just how far he has regressed since the championship run a few years back. But after averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 43% shooting this season, Klay’s decline can no longer be denied and it could make him the odd man out this summer.
What Is The Best Team For Klay?
While Klay Thompson may be out of his prime, his experience as a champion and skills as a shooter can still be a major help to a competitive team. In the right situation, with the proper role, Klay could close out his career in grace as a bench scorer and veteran leader in the locker room.
In Los Angeles, the Lakers have been rumored to be on Klay’s tail for a while and it makes a lot of sense given their win-now timeline. Alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Klay’s shooting would be huge and it would create brand new opportunities for everyone else. Meanwhile, Thompson could enjoy life as a Laker without having to move too far from the Bay. Plus, he’d get a chance to compete for another title before the end of his career.
The Orlando Magic are another player in the Thompson sweepstakes. They are one of the few teams with money to spend this season and they could use a veteran shooter on the wing to space the floor and ease pressure off Paolo Banchero.
San Antonio could be another option for Klay, as the presence of Victor Wembanyama has put pressure on the Spurs to improve their talent and add some shooters on the floor.
Of course, he could also stay with the Warriors to achieve his dream of retiring with Steph and Draymond. All of the Warriors stars expect Klay to return and he likely will if he can accept a pay cut that eases the team’s financial burden. Despite all of his recent struggles on the court, Klay will be a hot target this off-season and it will be interesting to see where he ends up when it’s all said and done.
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