The Golden State Warriors’ main concern going ahead, apart from Draymond Green’s health and playing condition, has been what Klay Thompson’s long-term plans are for the Bay Area.
The Warriors made a number of significant changes throughout the summer, including bringing in Chris Paul, sending Jordan Poole packing, and signing Draymond Green to a four-year contract deal.
The only thing that didn’t happen was for the Warriors and Thompson to agree to terms on a contract extension. Thompson seems to be the odd man out ahead of Tuesday’s season-opening game against the Phoenix Suns in 2023–24.
The four-time NBA champion may benefit from having something to prove this season, according to new Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., who spoke about Thompson’s contract position with the organization via 95.7 The Game.
The veteran guard hasn’t been the same player since suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries, including an ACL tear in the NBA Finals and an Achilles tear the following year.
At one point, Thompson was regarded as one of the game’s top two-way players and, behind teammate Stephen Curry, the second-best shooter of all time.
Now that he has visibly become older, particularly on the defensive end of the basketball court, the organization may be hesitant to give him a long-term contract.
As long as his body can handle it, Thompson has a strong motivation to have one of his finest seasons ever.
