The future of Klay Thompson as a free agent is a looming question for the Golden State Warriors, the only NBA team he has ever played for. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. expressed the team’s desire to retain Thompson during a June 24 press conference, stating, “We want him back.”
Thompson, a five-time All-Star, is heading into his 12th NBA season but will be an unrestricted free agent, allowing him to choose his next team. Last season, he played 77 games for the Warriors, averaging 17.9 points per game and shooting 38% from three-point range. Although there are other interested teams, such as the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers, no team shares the history with Thompson like the Warriors.
However, negotiations between Thompson and the Warriors have stalled. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, there have been no discussions or offers from the Warriors. Stephen Noh of Sporting News predicted that Thompson could land a three-year, $70 million deal with the Magic, although Slater reported there has been no recent traction between Thompson and the Magic.
There are signs that Thompson might be looking for a new start. He has removed references to the Warriors from his Instagram account, and the team has suggested that negotiations could be challenging, especially since no extension was reached during the season. With the Warriors aiming to reduce their luxury tax burden, they might not be able to meet Thompson’s salary demands. Despite mutual interest, as of June 22, there has been no progress on a deal with the Magic.
Thompson may prioritize a fresh start if the financial offer is right, according to Slater. He speculated that Thompson might leave to escape the built-up tension of the past few seasons and seek a new environment.
Mike Dunleavy acknowledged the difficulty of balancing business and personal relationships in handling Thompson’s situation. “Being reasonable and rational, that’s always how I’m going to operate,” Dunleavy said, admitting that it’s hard to completely strip away the emotion involved with a longtime player like Thompson. Dunleavy emphasized the importance of finding a role and a financial arrangement that benefits both the franchise and Thompson.
Since suffering a torn ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson has struggled to return to his previous form. Last season was the first since his rookie year that he spent time coming off the bench, doing so in 14 games. Dunleavy stressed that determining Thompson’s value to the team is crucial, factoring in his role and contributions to the franchise.
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