Klay Thompson is practicing, and Steve Kerr can feel the energy is back

Klay Thompson may be in pristine form yet, but he’s practicing at the minicamp and Warriors coach Steve Kerr has noticed the difference his presence makes.

The Golden State Warriors played the entire 2019-2020 season without Klay Thompson. It’s not shocking that they won just 15 games as Thompson and two-time MVP Stephen Curry combined for just five total games.

While that did make the team almost unwatchable at times, it did help land them a top pick in the draft. They had the highest odds for the No. 1 pick in the draft yet fell to No. 2, much better than the Cavaliers who dropped all the way to No. 5.

Prior to last season, the Warriors had been to five straight Finals, something they can no longer boast. However, they’ll be on track to be back to in Finals contention with Thompson, who is participating in the team’s minicamp.

The eight teams not invited to the Orlando bubble were given an opportunity to do a two-week minicamp with their current rosters and five additional players. Thompson is there in the Warriors’ facilities while Curry and Draymond Green were given excused absences.

That said, Kerr noted how he can already feel the energy that Thompson has provided the team.

For the last several years Thompson has been among the best shooters in the NBA.

He’s been a staple for this Golden State organization, and they paid him as such. Now, after dropping 30 before tearing his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, he’s set to come back just as strong as ever.

Thompson will take the court at the start of next season with a healthy Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins on a roster that will resemble the championship-winning 2014-2015 roster.

Just months away from the new season kicking off, the Warriors should be feeling good as they’re finally getting to take the court again after an extremely long period off.