Warriors offer Klay Thompson 2-year contract ahead of free agency

Klay Thompson finds himself as one of the biggest names in free agency this summer. The five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion has spent his entire career with the Golden State Warriors, but for the first time, it really looks like Thompson wants to evaluate all of his options in NBA free agency. No one can really blame Klay for keeping his options open, especially since he’s no longer the star talent he was before his ACL and Achilles injuries.

Although he saw a decrease in production during the 2023-24 season, averaging less than 20 points per game for the first time since the 2013-14 season, Thompson still managed to shoot 38.7 % at three points. Between his shooting abilities and his championship experience, that’s why some playoff-contending teams are reportedly interested in offering Thompson a short-term deal to try to lure him away from the Warriors.

However, Thompson has always expressed a desire to stay with the Warriors throughout his career, and the franchise would obviously like to keep him alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. For the first time ever, the NBA is allowing teams to negotiate with their current free agents before the real free agency window opens on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. The Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings are two teams that have already taken advantage of these new rules by negotiating deals with Pascal Siakam and Malik Monk respectively.

Could Thompson and the Warriors be next in line to negotiate a new deal before the future Hall of Famer even has a chance to speak with other organizations?

Recently, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon discussed Thompson’s free agency on The Hoop Collective podcast, revealing that the Warriors had a two-year offer on the table for Klay. He also pointed out that contract length could mean more to Thompson than the actual numbers.

There’s no doubt that Thompson will have to take a pay cut no matter where he ends up. At 34 years old and dealing with the wear and tear of two serious injuries, he just isn’t the same two-way factor he once was. Thompson made about $43 million last season, but he will likely have to accept a new contract that will pay him between $20 million and $25 million in the first year.

How much Klay gets from a new contract will depend a lot on what his role looks like with the Warriors or another team.

How Klay Thompson’s role impacts his new contract

At this point in his career, Thompson is nothing more than a catch-and-shoot threat who can occasionally create shooting opportunities for himself. He’s no longer a defensive stopper and Klay is no longer as versatile an offensive weapon as he was earlier in his career.

Whether or not Thompson returns to the Warriors with a new contract will certainly depend on what his role looks like. It’s no secret around the league that Klay was unhappy coming off the bench midway through the season when the team elevated rookie Brandin Podziemski into the starting lineup, and Thompson felt a bit missed. respect for the fact that he was the one who had to sacrifice the most to keep this core of Golden State together.

Green took a pay cut, but still received a $100 million contract. Thompson was only offered $48 million for another extension before the season, a deal he turned down in order to explore all of his options as a true free agent.

Now, that’s not to say that Thompson isn’t willing to take a pay cut, as he could very well do the Warriors a favor financially if certain promises can be made. Thompson still wants to play a big role alongside Curry, and he’s proven to be a player that helps lead this organization to championship glory. After all, that was the case in the 2021-22 season, when he returned from his serious leg injuries.

Thompson and the Warriors are able to discuss terms of a new contract before the start of free agency on June 30. But it appears there are still hurdles to overcome regarding the duration of a new deal. If a deal isn’t done by the start of free agency, Thompson will likely draw interest from the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers, two Eastern Conference teams looking to improve their shooting repertoires.