Klay Thompson Could Sign an NBA FA Contract in Line with Curry and Kerr.
Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson is set to become a free agent this summer, but there’s reportedly a path for him to remain a member of the team’s core.
ESPN’s Kendra Andrews reported that after head coach Steve Kerr signed a two-year contract extension this week that aligns with the two years that star point guard Stephen Curry has remaining on his deal, a source said that “getting Thompson a deal that would also align him with those two would be a viable option.”
Thompson is making $43.2 million this season in the final year of his current contract. Andrews noted that he and the Warriors entered negotiations for a new contract last summer, but both sides were unable to reach an agreement. A source told Andrews that “those talks never got to the point where different dollar amounts were being thrown around; instead, a range was presented to Thompson.”
The 34-year-old is eligible for a four-year, $223 million maximum contract extension, but that is considered “unrealistic.” Another source told Andrews that “money and his lineup status are not driving forces for Thompson, and he remains open to a shorter-term deal.”
Thompson has been working through a tough season, as his age and injury history appear to have caught up with him. His average of 17.2 points per game is his lowest since his second year in the NBA, and he’s shooting career lows of 42.1 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three-point range.
Kerr recently moved Thompson to the bench in hopes of helping him find his groove. While it was hard for him to accept a reserve role for the first time since his rookie season, he responded in a big way, scoring 35 points off the bench in a win over the Utah Jazz.
For his part, Thompson is aware that nothing is guaranteed in the tail-end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, but he will remain positive regardless of the outcome.
After the Dubs defeated the 76ers earlier this month, Thompson declared, “I’m going to be myself whether I’m wearing a Dubs uniform or another uniform.” “I’m going to be KT.”
