Yet to Cope With Klay Thompson’s Exit, Stephen Curry Drops Subtle Warning to Joe Lacob on His Warriors Future

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry recently sat down for an interview with Yahoo! Sports reporter Vincent Goodwill. During the conversation, the player touched base on his former teammate Klay Thompson’s exit from the franchise. Having been together for 13 years, the ‘Splash Brothers’ had formed a partnership through which they led the Warriors to four championship wins and established the franchise’s best era. Now, with the duo breaking up, Curry has yet to accept the harsh reality.

“Coach made a joke, he’s like ‘Sometimes, you can’t really find Klay in the Off-Seasons, and you don’t really hear from him as much’, and then he shows up in training camp ready to go” said the 36-year-old. “I kind of have this idea that in October, he’ll still like, you know, ‘Hey guy, what’s up.’ But I know it’s not happening.”

Klay Thompson’s exit now creates an uncertain future for the Warriors. With Curry and Draymond Green continuing to hold the lead of the team, the franchise has now brought in former Philadelphia 76ers star Buddy Hield to take up the vacant position of small forward/shooting guard. If the current scenario has taught Curry anything, it is that unexpected changes are a big part of the NBA world. Therefore, if the situation calls for it, the player may himself end up following in Thompson’s footsteps and take his commitment somewhere else.

“Pressure is applied on like ‘I want to win, and I want to be in the best position to make that happen.’ Doesn’t guarantee anything, but um until that changes, and I feel that energy changes, then, you know I go about my business the same way,” said Curry. “I can clearly say I want to be a Warrior for life, that’s always been my goal, and I’m saying that sitting in this chair right now. But like you said, life, and especially life in the NBA, it is a wild environment, and things change quickly.” The Warriors star later added “We’re trying to adapt and evolve, and il let everybody know if that changes, but right now, of course, the goal is always to be to finish my career with one team.”

Having already lose one major athlete, Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob will certainly find it hard to part ways with the team’s star player.

Klay Thompson had asked Stephen Curry to stay out of contract negotiations between him and Joe Lacob

The decision to conclude a 13-year run with a single team is not one that is made out of whim. In the end, Klay Thompson’s exit from the Golden State Warriors was due to both entities being unable to reach an agreement on an acceptable contract extension. Joe Lacob and the rest of the Warriors management were willing to offer the shooting guard with a 2-year, $48 million extension. However, Thompson refused the same, reportedly on the grounds that he would not budge expect for a 4-year extension. Throughout the negotiations and dealings, the player had made it clear that Stephen Curry, his teammate and counterpart, would play no part in the official discussion.

Almost a week ago, ‘The Athletic’ reporter Anthony Slater released a report detailing Klay Thompson’s exit from the Warriors. Highlighting how the separation had been an event five years in the making, the article revealed that Klay Thompson had requested that Stephen Curry be not a part of the official negotiation talks. Given the influence that the All-time Three-Pointers leader holds within the franchise, Thompson probably did not want to use him just to extend his own agenda. Rather, he would have wished the Warriors to recognize based on his own skills and what he has accomplished for them for more than a decade. Slater would also mention Curry being kept out during an interview on ‘The Morning Roast’ show.

“I was told that Klay requested of Steph, ‘Don’t exert your influence. Don’t demand that they do right by me financially. I want them to, want to (do that on their own)’” said Slater.

If Curry had intervened, then maybe there would have been a chance that ‘The Splash Brothers’ hadn’t been separated. Now, however, Klay Thompson is on his way to join the Dallas Mavericks under a 3-year, $50 million contract. While it would annually pay the player less than what he would have earned under the Warriors 2-year, $48 million contract, the shift provides a much-needed change that may prove beneficial for the player in the long run.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.