Facing the Toughest Battle
Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson experienced one of the most devastating games of his career against the Kings in yesterday’s play-in tournament. The game could very well mark his last appearance in a Warriors jersey. Following a period of reflection, Thompson spoke in an interview today, discussing his emotions and potential future paths.
Taking Time to Reflect
According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Thompson expressed that considering it’s only April 17th (US time), he doesn’t need to rush into making decisions. “When’s free agency? July 1st, right? Yeah, I got some time. I got some time.”
Appreciation from Teammates
After yesterday’s game, the other two members of the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, along with head coach Steve Kerr, publicly expressed their hopes for Thompson’s return. Thompson responded, “It means a lot to me. I mean, we’ve been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows together. Whether it’s losing a championship, winning a championship, missing the playoffs, we’ve been through it all together, so it really means a lot to me. Their words really made me grateful for the time we’ve spent together. It’s really historic.”
Desires for the Future
Thompson’s season has been a rollercoaster, from a rough start to a more stable second half. He acknowledges that he doesn’t need to be the leader and speaks of his desires, saying, “I just want to win. When you’re part of a winning season, you don’t want to leave. So, I want to win again. It’d be great to get another championship. I still think that’s possible, to think about what would truly make you happy in the remainder of your career.”
Evaluation of Warriors’ Intentions
Andrews notes that the current question Thompson faces in free agency is whether he believes he can win with the Warriors. Sources indicate that Thompson values winning over money, so as long as the Warriors demonstrate sufficient appreciation for him, he may stay.
Uncertainty Regarding the Team’s Efforts
When asked if the Warriors organization has shown enough effort to retain him, Thompson expresses uncertainty in his response, saying, “I mean, every year, I go out and I play my hardest. And the front office has been great. I only have positive things to say about them. So, I don’t really know how to answer that question, I mean, it’s up to them.”
Contract Duration Considerations
With Curry and Kerr having only two years left on their contracts, some may hope Thompson’s new contract aligns with theirs. When asked if this year’s contract will be his last, Thompson considers, “Maybe, I don’t know. When the time comes, I mean, I’m not going to try to put a date on my career. It’s kind of just by feel.” (7XM)