Outside of the health and playing status of veteran forward Draymond Green, the one major question for the Golden State Warriors moving forward has been what the long-term future holds for Klay Thompson in the Bay Area.
Over the summer, the Warriors made a few different moves, with the team bringing in Chris Paul and shipping out Jordan Poole while also signing Green to a four-year contract extension.
The one move that didn’t get made was the Warriors coming to terms on a contract extension with Thompson, who seems like the odd man out ahead of Tuesday’s 2023-24 season opener against the Phoenix Suns.
Ahead of the season opener, new Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. talked about Thompson’s contract situation with the team and how he believes it might benefit the four-time NBA champion to have something to prove this season, via 95.7 The Game.
Mike Dunleavy Jr. on Klay Thompson's contract:
“From a player standpoint, I think it’s nice to have something wrapped up and on the other hand it’s nice to feel like you have something to prove. I think Klay’s gonna go out and have a great year regardless of what happens. And we… pic.twitter.com/T2Een5dUN3
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 23, 2023
Since Thompson suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries, going down with a torn ACL in the NBA Finals and a torn Achilles the following year, the veteran guard hasn’t been the same player.
At one point in time, Thompson was considered to be one of the best two-way players in the game and arguably the second-best shooter of all time behind his teammate Stephen Curry.
Now, he clearly has lost a step, especially on the defensive end of the basketball floor, which might be why the team is reluctant to sign him to a long-term deal.
Obviously, that gives Thompson a huge incentive to have one of the best seasons of his career as long as his body can hold up.
NEXT: Warriors Have Made Decision On Draymond Green's Status For Season Opener
