CJ McCollum feels Klay Thompson was 'disrespected' by Warriors

Warriors guard Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time since his rookie year in the 2023-24 season. The veteran sharpshooter embraced the role like a pro and understood Warriors coach Steve Kerr's decision to start rookie Brandin Podziemski over him at various points of the season. 

While Thompson refused to view the role as "a demotion," one of his peers, CJ McCollum, believes he may have felt disrespected by the franchise he helped win four NBA championships.

McCollum made the shocking comments while addressing reports of Thompson possibly leaving the Bay Area as a free agent this offseason. 

"I think it may be time for both parties to look at other options. I think that's what they're doing right now," McCollum told "NBA Today" on ESPN. "You go from arguably the greatest run the game has ever seen — Klay was a huge part of that [with] his threes and defense, hitting big shots. To be treated the way he was treated this last year-and-a-half or so, I looked at it as disrespect from the outside looking in. I think he may have taken it that way as well." 

The Pelicans guard believes "a change of scenery" could bode well not just for Thompson but even the Warriors, who could potentially unlock their younger players following Thompson's potential departure. 

McCollum may be onto something. Thompson unfollowed the Warriors on social media last week, and there's increasing buzz around league circles of the Washington State alum taking his talents elsewhere.