Klay Thompson has top priority in impending free agency

For many gamers within the NBA, particularly getting old journeymen combating to outlive in an uber-competitive league, a contract 12 months might be a nerve-wracking expertise. Nonetheless, whenever you’re Klay Thompson, you are Warriors royalty and nearly assured to be fiscally “taken care of” by the franchise you helped win four championships. Not less than that was the belief made by most insiders protecting the Warriors. 

Then the 2023-24 season occurred. Thompson went to the bench for the primary time since 2012, inflicting a number of analysts to call for the Warriors to trade him earlier than the Feb. 8 commerce deadline. For the primary time in his storied profession, there have been questions on Thompson’s future as a Warrior. It was a sense he had by no means skilled via 12 seasons within the Bay. He was not Warriors royalty. 

On a latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Thompson admitted that dealing with adversity in a contract 12 months has modified his outlook towards free company and his basketball mortality.

“I used to be really battling that lots originally of this 12 months due to the unknown,” Thompson stated. “I might need let contract conditions or taking part in time or making up excuses…reasonably than simply appreciating what’s in entrance of me. It took me and Steve [Kerr] like 4 actual heart-to-heart talks to lastly break my shell, being like, ‘You already know what? I gotta have enjoyable this 12 months, I need to have enjoyable.'”

The Washington State alumni pressured that the newfound perspective has made him respect his restricted time within the league, and will issue into his free company determination. 

“Sure, I wish to re-sign with the Dubs, however I additionally must prioritize my psychological well being and lay out what’s vital to me at this level of my profession. I do know we have now a lot basketball forward that I have not given it a lot thought.”

Thompson will grow to be a free agent on July 1. Whereas the Magic are reportedly expected to offer him “a ton of money,” different groups such because the Sixers, Jazz and Hornets are projected to have essentially the most cap area.