Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson is having his worst season as an NBA player. He is averaging only 15.7 points this season, his lowest scoring average since his rookie season in 2012. There was a time when Klay was as big a scoring threat as his teammate Stephen Curry. But his disastrous start this season has the NBA world questioning if Klay’s best days are behind him.
After tonight’s devastating 113-112 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers, Warriors Center Draymond Green took the blame for Klay Thompson’s disappointing performance this season.
Draymond Green takes responsibility for Klay Thompson’s awful start
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Draymond Green addressed the Warriors’ slow start during his post-game interview. He believed one reason Klay has not been able to go off this season is because the Warriors’ offense has not been fast-paced, and they are constantly having to go up against set defenses. That makes it more difficult to score on defenders as opposed to scoring in transition. Draymond took the blame for Klay and his team’s disappointing performance, “I push our pace. That’s one of my roles. So, I raise my hand and say that’s all my fault that our pace isn’t where it needs to be.”
Draymond has missed 7 games this season due to injury and suspension. He has also been ejected twice this season, which means that the Warriors’ offense has struggled in 9 games due to Draymond’s absence. Apart from being the Warriors’ defensive anchor and the voice in the locker room, Draymond has been a facilitator of his team for many years. The playmaking ability of Draymond generates a lot of offense for the Splash Brothers. So, it is crucial for the Warriors’ success that Draymond remains in the lineup.
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Will Klay Thompson stay with the Warriors next season?
Klay Thompson is in the final year of his 5-year $189 million contract. He signed his contract extension in 2019 but suffered two massive injuries immediately after. Klay missed more than two seasons from 2019 to 2022 due to a torn ACL, followed by a torn Achilles. He returned in the middle of the 2021-22 season and won his 4th title the same year. But Thompson has not been the player he was before his injuries. And his decline has been evident this season.
While Klay Thompson is expecting a sizable deal for his next contract extension, the Warriors might not want to spend that much money on a player whose performances are declining each year. There reportedly has been a gap between what the Warriors are ready to offer and what Klay is demanding. That disagreement could lead the 4-time Champion to test free agency next season.
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Will this be the final year we see Klay Thompson in a Warriors uniform?
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