This offseason, Golden State Warriors great Klay Thompson will hit unrestricted free agency. In what has been a tumultuous season for the Warriors, rumors have swirled all season long about Thompson’s possible destination. However, Thompson himself has made his plans very clear.
In a recent episode of his podcast, Warriors teammate Draymond Green sat down with Thompson and asked about his priorities. Although he acknowledged he hasn’t “given it much thought”, the 34-year-old says he wants to stay with Golden State, but his mental health is his biggest priority:
Yes, I want to re-sign with the Dubs, but I also have to prioritize my mental health and lay out what is important to me at this point in my career. I know we have so much basketball ahead that I haven’t given it much thought. Because if I start thinking about July 1, then I’m just doing myself a disservice. For me it’s just about staying present, as simple as that is. Staying present and appreciating being in the NBA.
In his 13th season, Thompson is averaging 17.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Furthermore, he is shooting 43% from the field and 38.4% from the three-point line.
“Yes I wanna re-sign with the Dubs, but I also have to prioritize my mental health and lay out what’s important to me at this point in my career”
—@KlayThompson talks to @Money23Green about the upcoming free agency pic.twitter.com/hJNYBpb86X
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) April 9, 2024
Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson Reveals Free Agency Plans
Klay Thompson Reportedly Not Expecting a “Massive Contract”
Even though he is still a solid NBA player, it’s evident Thompson is not the same guy he was during the peak of Golden State’s dynasty. Because of this, the California native may be in line for a smaller contract. According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Thompson understands he will not expect a large contract. Furthermore, Andrews speculated that Thompson may sign a two-year deal to match up with Steve Kerr‘s and Stephen Curry‘s contracts:
“From my understanding, at least when it comes to Klay’s contract, the conversations that I’ve had, he isn’t under this impression that he is going to get this massive contract,” ESPN’s Kendra Andrews said on the Hoop Collective (46:55 mark). “Steve [Kerr] is on for two more years, matching up with Steph [Curry’s] contract, with two more years. Klay would be content matching up with those guys. Let’s finish this out. He understands where he’s at in his career, what he’s capable of, what he deserves. The other important thing is he wants to feel appreciated by this organization. He wants them to come to him and say, ‘We’re going to take care of you.’
The Team Posing the Biggest Threat to Sign the Five-Time NBA All-Star
The Warriors are reportedly not the only team interested in the four-time NBA champion. Multiple reports over the past few months have linked Thompson to the Orlando Magic. Additionally, The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami recently said Orlando’s interest in the wing is “one of the worst-kept secrets in the league“:
“One of the worst-kept secrets in the league is that Orlando, loaded with young talent but not with shooters, might offer Klay a ton of money next summer,” Kawakami wrote.
Though it seems like Thompson remains with Golden State, the Magic are a team worth monitoring this offseason.
