Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson’s greatest value is off the court
Amidst all the trade deadline and free agency drama, Klay Thompson’s low maintenance persona is proving valuable to the Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors have distanced themselves from the rest of the league and are seen as NBA royalty. A big reason for this is their ability to be selfless. In many ways, personality is what makes players like Klay Thompson so valuable.
News feeds have been bombarded with speculation as to how much the Los Angeles Lakers are willing to give in exchange for prying Anthony Davis away from the New Orleans Pelicans. The rumors, tension, and noise surrounding the situation have undoubtedly gotten to the heads of the Lakers roster. The result: a 42 point loss to the Indiana Pacers (the largest of LeBron’s career).
The fact that the likes of superstars such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis carry so much influence to the point that they can literally manipulate the actions of their franchises is so remarkable, and its a product of the way that today’s NBA works. It’s moments like these that make you appreciate those players who aren’t swayed by the outside noise or rumors.
The Golden State Warriors have one of those types of players in Klay Thompson. He also happens to be an impending free agent this summer.
Klay Thompson is a three-time NBA champion, a five-time NBA All-Star, and will go down as one of the greatest shooters to play the game of basketball. Come this summer, he’s expected to be offered a max-contract by (most likely) the Warriors. Simply put: he’s a star and he’s earned that money.
But on and off the court, Thompson doesn’t act like a stereotypical superstar, or at least he doesn’t carry himself like it. Fans likely think of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, now DeMarcus Cousins before mentioning Klay’s name when listing the superstar talent in Oakland.
To most players in Klay Thompson’s situation, they’d likely want not just the money of a superstar athlete, but the recognition of one as well. Why not get paid while being under the bright lights of a market like Los Angeles? To anyone else that would probably make sense, but to Klay Thompson, that’s not what it’s all about.
Of course, Klay Thompson will have his eyes set on getting his due, he’s more than earned the right, but what’s key and truly valuable to the Warriors is that he doesn’t need the fame and recognition as an extra incentive. He sees the bigger picture at hand and to him, that is what is incredibly satisfying.
Thompson himself said it best before this season to The Athletic’s Shams Charania: “If you can be a part of a team that wins championships, you’ll be a legend in your respective city and be able to have an impact beyond basketball, and that’s what my goal is.”
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Of course, Golden State cherishes Thompson’s textbook shooting form and knack for his scorching shooting performances (with little to no dribbles taken). But make no mistake that they cherish his low-maintenance persona even more. With his impending free agency on the horizon, that is what is most valuable when they offer him a max contract.