It has been reported that the Golden State Warriors have not made a formal contract offer to Klay Thompson yet.
Early on, renowned insider Anthony Slater disclosed that “no productive discussions have taken place between the Warriors and either Thompson or his agent.”
According to ESPN journalist Tim MacMahon’s report in ‘The Hoop Collective,’ the Warriors are reportedly negotiating a two-year deal with Thompson. However, Sportscaster Monte Poole suggests that Thompson is seeking a minimum of three years on his contract.
As per Slater, the door isn’t completely closed for Thompson’s return, but it appears the team is remaining cautious, potentially waiting for him to face the realities of the free agency market before offering a more favorable deal: “Part of the Warriors’ thinking could be that Thompson will eventually come back at a discounted price once he realizes the lukewarm market for him.”
Sleater mentions that the Orlando Magic, with their cap space, could be a potential suitor for Thompson, but he holds no appeal for them. The Warriors face a dilemma: stick with their core of Thompson, Stephen Curry, or Draymond Green, or build around Curry with a stronger roster, which are conflicting objectives.
Given Thompson’s injury history, having missed two full seasons due to ACL and Achilles injuries, he’s no longer the same player. Statistics show that when he’s on the court, the Warriors’ net rating is -0.3, while they have a +5.6 when he sits, indicating his reduced impact on the rotation.
In essence, Thompson is no longer an indispensable part of the Warriors’ starting lineup. As such, the team must seriously consider whether to retain him. Thompson’s situation underscores that athletes often can’t control the length of their careers, and the Warriors, after 11 years with him, will make decisions based on what’s best for the team during this offseason.