Entering the final season of a five-year, $189.9 million contract, there’s understandably some level of concern among fans regarding Klay Thompson’s future with the Golden State Warriors.
The 33-year-old is currently extension eligible, otherwise will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Yet while that opens up potential opportunities for Thompson, it sounds like he’s far from exploring a move away from the franchise.
Klay Thompson’s recent comments should soothe any concerns that Golden State Warriors fans may have about his future with the franchise.
In an in-depth interview with The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Thompson reiterated his desire to finish his career with the Warriors having originally been taken with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
"“I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. To play for one franchise, man? That’s so rare. In any sport. Football. Baseball. Basketball. Australian Rules Football. It’s some real legendary stuff…In a way, it’s our baby. You want to ride it out. I’ve just been so lucky to be a part of this franchise. It’d be so hard to envision myself in another uniform,” Thompson said."
Thompson is the last piece in securing Golden State’s veteran core beyond this season. He, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry are now the longest-tenured players with one franchise across the NBA, with the latter two contracted for at least another three seasons.
The five-time All-Star will have to take a significant cut from his $43.2 million deal for this season, but his value may be skewed somewhat by deteriorating form in the postseason where Thompson averaged just 10.5 points in the final four games against the Lakers in the second-round.
Thompson will now try and utilize that as motivation, adding that “you think about it the whole summer.” Looking in physically better shape than the same time 12 months ago, the four-time champion had six points and four rebounds in Golden State’s preseason opener on Saturday.
As for his contractual situation, a reflective Thompson appears to hold the values and perspective that indicates his career at the Warriors will last well belong the 2023-24 season.