Breaking His Silence About The Warriors’ Future Amid Free Agency Rumors, Klay Thompson
published initially on NBA Analysis Network
Written by Jake Rogers; modified on April 18, 24
The best player for the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson, is entering free agency this offseason with his future with the team in jeopardy. Only one day after the Warriors’ season ended in a play-in tournament loss, Thompson seemed unfazed by the impending decisions during his farewell interview.
With free agency due to start on July 1st, Thompson said, “Considering it’s April 17th, I don’t think I have to pivot that quickly,” implying he’s not in a rush to make plans just yet.
Although Thompson hasn’t given his future move much thought, his teammates—Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr—have made it clear that they would love to see him back. Curry found it impossible to imagine without playing with Thompson, and Green was adamant that retaining Thompson on the squad was the best course of action for the group.
“It means a lot,” Thompson remarked, expressing gratitude to his group for their support. “Together, we have experienced the greatest highs and lowest lows.”
This season, Thompson has undergone change and introspection. Following the All-Star break, he found his game again, playing what he called his greatest basketball in the last few months of the season after a sluggish start and a brief spell with the second unit.
This season, Thompson has learned the value of resilience above everything else. “I discovered that it’s better to embrace the wonderful moments rather than run away from the difficult ones,” he said.
Thompson’s goal for the future is still quite clear: he wants to keep winning. “I hope to win once more.” One for the thumb would be good, he thought to himself, implying that he saw a future in the Bay Area as long as the Warriors could express their gratitude in some way, whether it be financially or not.
Green expressed assurance that the company will figure out how to properly recognize Thompson, guaranteeing his continued employment. Thompson left his long-term commitment open-ended, but he did commend the Warriors’ ownership for their support throughout the years.
“I try my hardest every year. The ownership group has also been excellent. Thompson said, “I’m not trying to put an expiration date on my career; I have nothing but positive things to say about them.”
The organization hopes that, should negotiations for his future contract begin, Thompson’s new deal would match the remaining years on Curry and Kerr’s contracts, possibly paving the way for Thompson to round out his remarkable career with the Warriors.
