Declining $140 Million Warriors Extension as Per Reports, Where Should Klay Thompson Head in Free Agency?

With no fear, he can attempt a jumper and get the intended result better than most. When he is on a hot streak, it is game over. Off-the-ball, Klay Thompson is one of the top players in the NBA. He has the Regular Season record for threes made in a game with 14 in 2018. His game perfectly suits Stephen Curry. Your Guards can’t simply double Curry without consistent punishment. Thompson is ready to nail a jumper in your face. The pair have won four championships together and are the most successful duo since 2014.

The Shooting Guard has lifted the Dubs many times over the line. Who can forget his 2016 Western Finals performance when he nailed 11 threes in Game 6? The team was down and out in the series, but his performances brought them back. 

The three-point specialist has provided the Warriors with many clutch moments. His A-game translates in both the Regular Season and Playoffs setting. Therefore, he is one of the most integral parts of the core that also has Draymond Green and Stephen Curry. In a bombshell, he may enter the free agency next season.

Is Klay Thompson leaving the Bay Area?

Appearing on NBA Countdown, trusted source Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that Thompson and Warriors are having “no progress” in the extension talks. He revealed, ”I’m told that there has been absolutely no progress on a Klay Thompson extension in Golden State, that they are still apart on years and money. There’s a very real possibility Klay Thompson goes into free agency next summer without a deal.”

The murmurs are that the Dubs are pondering over the value of the contract. Curry’s supermax contract is north of $50 million and has hit the luxury tax which has been a huge problem. Apart from that, Green’s contract is $25 million a year while Andrew Wiggins’ contract is $27.5 million a year. This doesn’t leave much wiggle room for the team that is going to pay $200 million+ in luxury tax, which is the highest in the league. Would they also want to offer a four-year contract to Thompson, who is going to be 34 in February? There were murmurs that the Dubs are fielding a four-year $140 million offer. But are they even that much interested in it?

For Thompson, the next free agency is ripe. If possible, he can land a four-year contract that can get close to $40 million. However, considering his age, there can be hesitation.

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What if he is also seeking a change in the team and wants to try something different? So, where can he land to explore fresh horizons?

Suitors for Klay Thompson

The Los Angeles Lakers are always up in the conversation when we bring a big-name player. This season they took a rather role-player-based approach instead of chasing a big name. However, if they don’t get the desired results this season, Thompson can emerge as an option. The trouble is that they will also be paying a lot. Anthony Davis’ contract is north of $60 million whereas LBJ’s contract will be nearly $50 million a year. These two contracts, apart from multiple $18+ million contracts to D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, have hit their purse.

Would they be able to offer a big contract to the sharpshooter? One thing is for sure, with a passer like LeBron and a screener like AD, he will be dealing a lot of damage. 

Apart from the Lakers, the Miami Heat makes sense if things remain for them as they are. With a defensive dynamo like Jimmy Butler who will need a lot of offensive help, he is an automatic fit. He can utilize Adebayo’s bruising screens and can take advantage of Eric Spoelstra’s system, which is great at drawing open three-pointers. Money-wise too, the Heat can absorb around $40 million per year contract. 

Some people have suggested that his fit with the Sacramento Kings also makes sense. With Fox and Sabonis as the one-two punch, shooting spots will be wide open. The Kings run an efficient offense based on a lot of ball movement, which means that Klay can be a receiver of many extra passes. 

Meanwhile, if the Clippers retain Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, he again fits well. With these two occupying much of the offensive attention, the potential to drain multiple threes is huge. However, the Clippers are charting a fuzzy territory, and knowing their luck, relief may be ways removed. What about the Sixers? The fit as of now doesn’t make much sense for the parties. Harden is irate, Embiid is skeptical and the fans are impatient. If the franchise blows it up then the team will want younger pieces.

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Isn’t it fantastic to imagine him on the Bucks alongside The Greek Freak and Dame Time? Well, one can dream. However, there is a season between now and the 2024 free agency.

Speculations can fall apart

Knowing the wavering nature of the NBA, it is tough to even project the core of the rosters stated above. Who knows if most of the core players like Leonard, Embiid, and Fox see a change in their team? You never know. Therefore, there are pitfalls to this way-too-early speculation. However, it is such fantasy scenarios that fuel the fire for many NBA fans. There is also a chance that he will reach a deal with the Warriors.

Wherever he takes his talents, Thompson is an incredible addition. He fits in with most teams just because of his reliable jumper, which remains a hot commodity in the market. There are some challenges that a team can face signing. First of all, he is going to hit mid 30s and will become even more injury-prone. His defensive steam can also take a hit and his overall productivity can wane. Would a team want to wager four years of $30+ million over him? 

However, reputation matters a lot. When you are in a tight Playoff situation, the Game 6 Klay will be there to rescue you. His body of work is too immense to ignore. Remember, this is the guy who hit 301 triples in around last season, no player hit more total threes. Nabbing one of the best shooters ever can pay unprecedented dividends.