During a recent episode of the show Game Time on NBA TV, Chris Haynes, a senior NBA insider for TNT, shared his opinion on the ongoing contract negotiations between the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson. He mentioned that the Warriors plan to offer Thompson a low-value contract, which Thompson may find disrespectful, prompting him to opt-out.
“I believe the Warriors are probably offering him an annually, low $20M-type of contract. Is he willing to walk away from that because he feels disrespected? It looks like he is.” Haynes said.
Thompson’s contract with the Warriors is set to expire after reportedly delaying in the past two weeks. Despite frequently being benched, the 34-year-old guard earned $43.2 million in his final season.
After winning the championship in the 2021-22 season, the Warriors started to decline. In the 2022-23 season, they made it to the playoffs and defeated the Sacramento Kings in the first round. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals. In the 2023-24 season, the Warriors performed even worse, failing to make it to the playoffs and losing in the Play-In tournament. Following this disappointing loss, the Warriors focused on improving their roster, leading to speculation that the team would break up their best trio and that Thompson would leave the team.
NBA Insider for the Athletics Spills the Beans on Klay Thompson’s Decision
The dispute between the Warriors and Thompson stems from his performance in the recent season. According to StatMuse, Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 77 games this season.
On Saturday, NBA insider Anthony Slater for The Athletic shared some insight into Thompson’s decision. He mentioned that there is no discussion between the Warriors and Thompson, and Thompson is close to leaving the Warriors, the team he was closest to.
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“There’s been no productive discussion between the Warriors and Thompson or his representatives nothing is currently on the table. Thompson’s exit from the only franchise he has ever known feels closer and more probable than ever before.” Slater said.
However, in spite of the ongoing speculations, another NBA insider has also revealed Thompson’s interest in a team. He mentioned that the 34-year-old guard is interested in the prospect of teaming up with LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers.
