The Warriors might be off the postseason talk, but they are certainly not away from trade chatter. With good reason, too! One of their cornerstone players, Klay Thompson, and his impending free agency is looming. With the two sides yet to reach an agreement, the will-they, won’t-they scenario is driving everyone crazy. Many including Stephen Curry believe that GSW should keep the core together for one final run. Others, though, think it would be better to use the veteran sharpshooter as a trade bait to bring in a superstar that can help Curry get his fifth ring.

Under such circumstances, Stephen A. Smith has come forward with his take on the situation. Joining 95.7 The Game Willard and Dibs, the ESPN analyst is adamant that the Golden State should give “Steph Curry whatever the h*ll he wants.” Because Curry has earned it and the man is “the epitome of perfection as a professional athlete!” For years, he’s carried the team on his back, never failing in consistency.

It’s also clear that the team isn’t winning without Draymond Green on the roster. “Because he brings everything to the team that Steph Curry doesn’t want to bring in,” as per Smith. Then again, the Warriors are in a situation where they can only sign a free agent for the veteran minimum. Not to forget, they have Chris Paul. He has a $30 million non-guaranteed salary for the next season. They could very well use that to lure veterans to the Bay Area.

Then there is Andrew Wiggins. The 3-and-D wing has been the top candidate for trade talks since the trade deadline. Of course, the Dubs did not trade him then. However, that does not mean they wouldn’t consider throwing him into the mix. He earns $27.25 million annually and how Wiggs would fit in the trade block is yet to be seen.

So, that leaves only Thompson.

The Jrue Holiday-Celtics deal and how it might affect Thompson’s free agency

With the larger consensus in the franchise hoping to see the 4x champion continue in a Dubs jersey, the possibility that the ‘Splash Brother’ and GSW may be eyeing a long-term contract to keep him with them cannot be dismissed. That’s where the whole trade scenario of the Celtics‘ four-year $135 million contract extension for Jrue Holiday, which happened on April 10, comes into play.

Zach Lowe of The Lowe Post revealed that both Thompson and the Warriors “took note” of the deal.

Stephen A., though, points out yet another factor why Thompson might be the best-suited option to go. Players like Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and even Moses Moody, have shown that they can contribute to a contending team. So, letting them go wouldn’t be something the franchise would consider. Klay, on the other hand, has enough value on the trade market for the GSW to get a worthy return.

Well, the man in question doesn’t find it necessary to rush into things. After the Dubs’ 94-118 loss to the Kings on April 17th, Thompson had said, “Considering it’s April 17th, I don’t think I have to pivot that quickly. When is free agency? July 1st? Yeah, I got some time. I got some time.” He does have another month to make up his mind.

Anything can happen in that period. This is the NBA, after all.