Getty Klay Thompson reacts during a April 12 game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The question of Klay Thompson‘s free agency will hang over the Golden State Warriors until it’s answered this summer. Will he leave the only NBA team he’s ever called home?
Thompson, a five-time All-Star, is approaching his 12th NBA campaign. But as an unrestricted free agent, only he can decide what uniform he’ll be wearing for it.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz predicts the 34-year-old will sign a two-year, $46-million deal to remain with the Warriors.
“The Warriors could sign Thompson to a multi-year contract starting at $22.2 million or less, use their taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.2 million to sign some outside help and fill out the roster with veteran minimum deals and still avoid the luxury tax line for next season,” Swartz wrote on June 5.
Thompson played 77 games for Golden State last season, averaging 17.9 points per game on 38% shooting from behind the arc. His list of suitors won’t be short, but no team has a history with Thompson like the Warriors.
“Look for Thompson’s contract to fall somewhere around this number annually in a return to Golden State,” Swartz continued. “A two-year deal would tie him in with Stephen Curry‘s contract as well.”
The end of an era in Golden State will likely look similar to the beginning. Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green are likely to run it back one last time with hopes of securing a fifth shared championship.
Slater: Thompson Still ‘Wants to Win’
Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported at length about Thompson and the Warriors’ looming negotiations this summer, and while there are plenty of team’s that could offer Thompson a significant payday, Slater maintains money isn’t the priority.
“Thompson wants to win,” Slater wrote on May 30. “Don’t expect him to chase the largest possible offer from the Detroit Pistons or Charlotte Hornets, even if that’s the correct financial or leverage move.”
That being said, Slater notes that there are a number of playoff contenders with the cap space to offer Thompson a worthwhile deal, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.
All three could use a shot in the arm in the form of Thompson’s 3-point shooting, specifically the 76ers and Magic, who finished the regular season 22nd and 30th in total 3-point makes, respectively.
However, with the Warriors, not only will he have an opportunity to still make more than $20 million annually, but there’s a familiarity with the system – a system that’s catered specifically to players of his skillset.
Chris Paul Predicted to Leave Warriors
In the same column, Swartz predicts that backup point guard Chris Paul – who will be a free agent if the Warriors don’t guarantee his 2024-25 salary by June 28 – will sign a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Given the amount of luxury-tax relief the team would receive by waiving the 12-time All-Star and his non-guaranteed $30 million deal, it’s likely he ends up as an unrestricted free agent,” Swartz wrote.
Paul averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists per game in his 19th NBA season, bringing stability to the Warriors in their minutes without Curry on the floor. Losing him would be a blow to the offense, albeit possibly a necessary one in order to retain Thompson.