“Thought Klay (Thompson) Was Washed”: Warriors Slapped With Orlando Magic Reality By 60YO Vet

Veteran analyst Colin Cowherd revealed Steve Kerr’s master plan following the Dubs’ incredible turnaround late in the season. Klay Thompson, who is approaching his free agency, went through a lot of scrutiny amid his poor shooting spree at the start of the season. While the NBA world almost concluded that the Dubs won’t retain him next season, China Clay turned the conversation around in a matter of a month. Speaking of the 4x NBA Champ’s comeback performance, Cowherd dropped a piece of exquisite information about Kerr’s plan in the latest episode of The Colin Cowherd Podcast.

The Golden State Warriors didn’t have a glorious start to the season. Apart from the 5-game winning streak at the beginning, the team failed to convert wins. Coach Steve Kerr made a lot of changes in the starting line-up until he found the best. In the process, Thompson lost his spot in the starting line-up amid his poor shooting percentage (34.3 3P%, 53.7 true shooting percentage) in February.

However, it didn’t last for long, as Thompson found his groove back again, playing from the bench. Speaking of it, Cowherd said, “I thought Klay was washed last year but when I watched The Warriors… I thought their core that they don’t want to move is Steph, Klay, Draymond, and Podz.” Cowherd opined that Steve Kerr tried to make a statement to the Dubs’ owner Joe Lacob with his trust in Thompson. He further added that Kerr designed a lot of play through Klay and also stressed, “Coaches don’t have to.” 

The veteran analyst’s statement came in amidst the Orlando Magic‘s hunt for the star shooter. During mid-February, The Athletic report stated that Thompson rejected a 2-year contract extension worth $48 million after failing to come to an agreement with Lacob. At the time, Marc Stein reported about the Magic’s front office’s hot pursuit to nab the sharpshooter in the free agency.

However, with the likes of Colin Cowherd’s analysis of Kerr’s efforts to get Klay back in the groove, the Magic’s hunt for the star shooter will remain a magical dream. On top of it, the 34-year-old also asserted that he wanted to retire as a Warrior.

Will Joe Lacob and Klay Thompson arrive at a common ground?

Even though Klay Thompson got back to his groove ahead of the season, the star is yet to extend his contract with the Dub Nation. The Athletic article also stated that Lacob and Thompson have strained relationship ever since the exit of Bob Myers. The Warriors could miss out on their star if the duo fails to fix their strained relationship.

Several reports suggested that Thompson could have turned down the $48 million contract because of the reduced value. In the leading Bay Area podcast show, 95.7 The Game, a veteran analyst suggested that the front could resolve the issue by bringing an annual pay of around $25 million to keep Thompson within the fold.

Notably, Draymond Green currently is paid an annual average salary of $25 million from his 4-year contract worth $100 million. If at all, the Dubs front office fails to make this right, fans might see the 34-year-old in the Magic thread.

What do you make of Colin Cowherd’s reality check to the Warriors? Let us know in the comments.