The Warriors organization is filled with a massive sense of anticipation as Klay Thompson works his way back from two straight missed seasons.
In a recent update, as he was riding an exercise bike and talking with ESPN, Thompson said he was playing 3-on-3. We’ve seen video of him on the floor at Chase Center taking shots and he appears to be several weeks away from rejoining the Warriors.
Golden State owner Joe Lacob joined Bonta Hill and Joe Shasky of 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast” Wednesday and said he can’t wait for Thompson to suit up again. You can hear the full interview above.
“That could be the most emotional day, certainly of my ownership history,” Lacob said. “For every Warrior fan. It could just turn out to be one of the greatest moments in Warrior or NBA history. Certainly Warrior history. It’s going to be an emotional day. I’m looking so forward to it.”
Thompson hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, as he also suffered an Achilles injury in November 2020. Dub Nation has been clamoring for his return for nearly 900 days.
When Thompson does return, it will mark the ninth season of his career. Lacob lauded Thompson and his fellow Splash Brother Steph Curry for playing their entire careers by the Bay.
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“Steph is the longest-tenured player with any one original team, in the league,” Lacob said. “Klay is No. 2. Think about this for a second. That’s continuity. It’s important. It’s also loyalty, on their side and on our side.
“The players have free agency. They can go do what they want. I respect that right. Kevin Durant wanted to come, he wanted to go. I’m not mad at him. But these guys have been with us for a long time. They mean a lot to us. Just like Buster Posey meant a lot to Giants fans when he retired.”
So long as Lacob is writing the checks, don’t expect Thompson to be going anywhere.
“Everyone knows I have a special thing for Klay,” Lacob said. “I could never let Klay go anywhere. I love Klay.”
Thompson is in the third season of a five-year extension that runs through the end of the 2022-23 season.
