Klay Thompson "absolutely" wants to finish his career with the Warriors but feels "blessed" regardless of what ultimately happens, Thompson told Anthony Slater of The Athletic in an interview.
“I don’t need to go into this year and … I know if I just do my job and I’m in shape and I compete at my highest level, I’m going to make money in this league for a long time. So, I don’t worry about it. I’m blessed beyond measure. Obviously, you want to make the most in the window you have as an athlete. But I’m not going to let that get in the way of winning a championship. When you win, everything else will be taken care of.”
Thompson also told Slater he wants to remain with the Warriors.
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. To play for one franchise, man? That’s so rare. In any sport. Football. Baseball. Basketball. Australian Rules Football. To play for one club is insane. It’s some real legendary stuff. Even what Udonis Haslem did. He’s revered in Miami. Locally. That’s what I cherish. Going around the country, going around the world and people from Northern California or Warriors fans in general are just so prideful about the Warriors. And I was here before banners were hung up. So, in a way, it’s our baby. You want to ride it out. I’ve just been so lucky to be a part of this franchise. It’d be so hard to envision myself in another uniform.”
A clearer headed and more consistent Klay Thompson, with bad games that aren't quite as bad as the 2022-23 season, coupled with the 300+ makes from three-point range at a 41% clip would go a long way toward the Warriors being able to extend their run beyond the Western Conference Semifinals in 2024. The key for Golden State will be finding common ground on a contract extension that will keep Thompson playing alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green for years to come.
