Things could be getting dicey between the Warriors and Klay Thompson as the two sides attempt to negotiate a contract extension with the regular season set to start in eight days and Thompson set to be a free agent next summer.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the following last night on NBA Countdown:
“I’m told there’s been absolutely no progress on a Klay Thompson extension in Golden State. They’re both still apart on years and money. There’s a real possibility that Klay Thompson goes into free agency next summer without a deal, and I think that’s where it gets complicated for Golden State and becomes a little bit something of a high wire act. Especially if Klay Thompson duplicates the kind of season he had last year.”
Woj then cited Klay Thompson’s stats from last season where he shot over 41% from 3-point range and led the NBA in 3-point makes with a career high 301.
“For Golden State, this has a chance to become the first real test of keeping together that core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson," Wojnarowski said.
Former Warriors President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Bob Myers, now an ESPN analyst chimed in with his unique perspective on the situation:
“A lot of times people will say it’s just business, but this is not a just business situation. There’s going to be a statue of this player outside of Chase Center. He was instrumental in bringing four championships. He’s beloved inside the organization, the fan base. So, it’s not so simple as it’s money and years. This is why it was so hard for me because you get relationships with these people, succeed with them, and that core has been together for 12 years, and that’s just so rare now. So, this is a delicate negotiation. From what I know and see, he wants to stay. They want him to stay, but that doesn’t mean it will happen. This is a test and it’s probably the first real test."
Draymond Green agreed to a new contract in July that has him signed with Golden State through the 2026-27 season while Stephen Curry is locked in through 2025-26. Keeping the championship core together as long as possible has been a top priority for the Warriors since they were eliminated in the playoffs by the Lakers.
