Scenario #2: Kawhi joins the Dubs
I know, I know; you’re probably thinking, “Oh look, yet another person linked to the Warriors’ mighty empire.” But hear me out: Leonard leaving the Spurs would eliminate them as a threat and that would leave the Warriors, Rockets and Thunder as the main threats coming out of the West in the next two years, especially if Minnesota, Portland and New Orleans, home of rumored future Warrior Anthony Davis, can’t get over the hump soon.
Despite their recent setbacks (why Steph? Take me instead!), Golden State still looks good for the time being and, as for the Rockets and Thunder, the pending 2018 free agency decisions of Chris Paul and Paul George could impact them in a number of ways. Something else to keep in mind, in terms of free agency, is that guard Klay Thompson, who last time I checked is 28 years old and, you know, pretty good, could be buying a set of floaties to test the waters in 2019.
Thompson is on record saying that he would consider a discount if it meant staying with the team, but one has to wonder how reasonable it would be to expect one of the best two-way players in the league, who ranked 30th among NBA players and 91st among athletes in endorsement earnings in 2017, to leave money on the table.
Similar to the well-documented involvement of a family member in Leonard’s case, Klay’s father Mychal, a former NBA player and two-time champ, has the inside scoop on his son’s mindset and plans. On February 6, the elder Thompson said on SiriusXM NBA Radio’s “Above the Rim” that Klay would “love to retire a Warrior” and “is not looking to leave”. However, during that same conversation, he added that it’s “up to the Warriors” regarding his son’s future with the team.
We all know just from watching him play that Klay Thompson is an unselfish team player who just wants to contribute to wins in any way he can. After reading his father’s comments, though, it’s pretty clear that the long-term message is simple: “if the Dubs pay, Klay will stay.”
It’s not fair to speculate that money is the be-all end-all here, but what if the Warriors decide that they are unwilling to pay Thompson what he may be seeking? It wouldn’t first time such a thing has happened in the league.
And what if this decision leads to management wanting to deal him so that they don’t lose him for nothing? With the injuries piling up this season and the Warriors getting ready to cut the ribbon on a new arena, is it possible that the Warriors could deal Klay for Kawhi, a fellow Los Angeles native who is two years younger than Thompson?
Related Story: https://bluemanhoop.com/2018/03/06/golden-state-warriors-worst-matchup-playoffs/
Not to get your blood pressure rising any higher over the thought of this happening or not, but let’s also not forget that the Spurs had interest in Thompson in 2011, the draft that saw him go 11th and Leonard go 15th. Owners are like sharks in terms of circling guys they want and it’s not unrealistic to think that Thompson, albeit a more mature, tested veteran version of himself, could become appealing to them again if he becomes available.