June is fast approaching, and little is clear regarding Klay Thompson's future with the Warriors.
However, as contract extension negotiations continue, there has been “no notable movement from either side” toward a resolution. Anthony Slater of The Athletic The report came out Thursday, citing league sources.
Slater added that Golden State remains interested in retaining Thompson “for the right price” once the rest of the team is in place, but Thompson is set to become an NBA free agent this July for the first time since 2019.
“[The Warriors] “He's not banging on his door trying to put together the framework for a contract extension (which could be signed at any time),” Slater wrote, “but the 34-year-old Thompson seems ready to test the waters of free agency and explore outside options for the first time in his career.”
“…Thompson spent the last month traveling and de-stressing after an early, bitter end to a stressful season. But June is business time for the NBA. It's time for Thompson and his agent to figure out what options he really has, what he wants and what it would take for Golden State to bring him back. After that, it's up to them whether the Warriors make that offer.”
A four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star, Thompson is sure to attract big offers from teams like the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets, but the competitive veteran still wants to win.
Slater doesn't expect Thompson to pursue a cash bonanza this offseason, but he remains hungry for a fifth championship ring entering his 14th season. Slater also noted that there are other teams with more cap space that have a clearer path to NBA championship contention than the Warriors, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic, all of which made the playoffs last season.
Thompson's age and injury history don't make him the most prominent option on the open market, as Paul George, who has a player option with the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2024-25 season, is likely to attract the most attention if he doesn't return to Los Angeles.
Thompson appeared in 77 games last season, averaging 29.7 minutes per game and averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 43.2 percent field goal shooting and 38.7 percent 3-point shooting.
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