Klay Thompson 2024 Free Agency: Gauging ideal contract for 5-time All-Star
Watching Klay Thompson apparently having a last look around in the Golden 1 Center gave an impression that the five-time NBA All-Star might have played his last game as a Golden State Warriors player.
After the Warriors’ loss to the Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament, there have been speculations around Thompson’s future with the Warriors, especially in light of his free agency.
Thompson, who signed a five-year $190-million max contract extension with the Warriors in 2019, was in the last season of his contract. Klay Thompson is set to enter free agency this offseason. In light of how things have unfolded for Thompson recently, there's a high chance that he could have to take a cut in his paycheck.
Earlier, in December last year, Sham Charania had reported on “Run It Back” that the Warriors had offered a two-year $48 million contract extension to Klay Thompson. As he didn't accept the offer, there's a big question about the Dubs’ offering given how big a failure this season was for the Warriors.
Thompson is an all-time great 3-point shooter in the game. Moreover, his game is not just limited to 3-point shooting, as he can do much more on the floor. Given how the beyond-the-arc shooters have gained respect in the last few years, Klay Thompson could sign a deal that would pay him over $20 million per year.
Thompson is over 34, so the chance of any team offering him a long contract is very unlikely. Either he could sign the previous 2-year $48 million offer by the Warriors or bargain for a better offer with other teams.
This season Thompson made over $43 million in salary, but in light of his poor performance this season, replicating this salary appears unlikely.
Klay Thompson is not rushing into free agency
The loss of the Warriors to the Kings in the Play-In Tournament perhaps fell heaviest on Klay Thompson’s head.
Once the clock ended, every eye in the arena fell on Thompson, as if he was the villain for his team’s downfall. There were questions about his future with the Dubs, his free agency and funnily enough, his potential retirement.
However, despite the barrage of questions about his future, Thompson is not rushing into anything right now. When reporters asked Thompson about his free agency in the post-game media conference, he simply replied that he has enough time to think about it.
"Considering it's April 17th, I don't think I have to pivot that quickly," Thompson said. "When is free agency? July 1st? Yeah, I got some time. I got some time."
Thompson has been one of the greatest assets for the Warriors’ four championships. Warriors owner Joe Lacob has already said that going into next season his aim would be to avoid luxury taxes.
However, that shouldn;t mean that the front office cannot respect what Thompson has meant for what became one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history.