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Golden State Warriors: The case for Klay Thompson not returning this year

ByNathan Beighle|
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a picture during the Golden State Warriors media day at Chase Center on September 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a picture during the Golden State Warriors media day at Chase Center on September 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors’ star shooting guard Klay Thompson has looked good in rehab, but the five-time All-Star still shouldn’t return this year.

The Golden State Warriors have nine wins.

That’s the reality hitting this team this season.

Stephen Curry has played just three and a half games while Klay Thompson has yet to take the court in a game this season. Both players may end up sitting out the remainder of the season to focus on next year and a return to championship contention.

While it’s unlikely Curry sits out since his injury was just a broken arm, Klay Thompson, on the other hand, should take the extra time to prepare for his return to stardom next season. As many remember, Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals around six months ago.

Klay Thompson is back on the court though, taking threes and, as we’ve grown used to, making them. Here’s a clip of Thompson running with Warriors’ former big man Zaza Pachulia.

Before Curry’s injury and when the Warriors’ had playoff aspirations, Thompson was looking at a mid-March or early-March return. With the Warriors far from playoff contention, the idea of his return has taken a backseat to making sure he’s 100% ready to go for the following season.

Thompson is a five-time All-Star and, prior to his injury, was one of the league’s best two-way players. He averaged over 20 points per game for five straight seasons and should return back to that level after undergoing surgery from the first major injury of his career.

However, there’s no point for him to return this season.

If Thompson returns for the last 45 days of meaningless basketball this season, the only possible outcome for Golden State isn’t favorable. They may win some games and hurt their chance at a top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

That would be far from ideal.

They should hold Thompson out and give him the chance to fully heal. ACL injuries are tough to rebound fully from, and he needs the entire time to recover with no chance of re-injuring the ligament.

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