When the season began, Golden State Warriors fans were left wondering if this would be the last year their core group – Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson – would play together.
With Klay Thompson, a franchise icon, completing the final season of his mammoth $189 million extension signed in 2019, he is now an unrestricted free agent and free to explore offers from other teams for the first time in five years.
With Draymond Green known to be a loose cannon, his latest words have reportedly pushed Thompson closer to the exit door in San Francisco.
In an episode of the 95.7 The Game podcast, hosts discussed Thompson’s free agency options and the likelihood of him re-signing with the Warriors. They revealed that Thompson is reportedly upset with Green over comments made after the play-in tournament loss to the Sacramento Kings.
“Klay tore his ACL, they paid him $160 million,” Green declared.
In reality, it was a five-year, $189 million extension offered after Thompson tore his ACL in the NBA Finals. The podcast hosts believe Thompson didn’t appreciate these comments, as discussing injuries and contracts is a sensitive topic among athletes.
What next for Klay Thompson?
Thompson initially laughed off Green’s comments but then expressed his feelings more seriously.
“Could you imagine if they didn’t pay me after I got hurt? That would have been really bad. Five straight finals and you blow your knee out. Yeah, sorry,” Thompson said.
There is a sense that Green’s comments overlooked Thompson’s significant contributions to the Warriors’ success. While it may not have been Green’s intention to offend his long-time teammate, his remarks have seemingly caused tension.
As of June, the Warriors and Thompson have yet to discuss his future. The Warriors are open to retaining their loyal star but only at the right price.
With no talks initiated yet, Thompson is reportedly exploring free agency and inviting offers from other teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic are among the rumored favorites to acquire him.