One of the players many people are going to be keeping a close eye on during the 2024 NBA offseason is Klay Thompson. The future Hall of Famer’s tenure with the Golden State Warriors could be coming to an end as it is anyone’s guess what direction they take things this offseason.
Will they look to run it back with their core of Thompson, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins? Or will this be the time they opt to go in a different direction, shaking things up and recalibrating their plans for the future?
There are a lot of factors that will be in play this offseason when it comes to where Thompson’s NBA career goes. Money will be one of those factors, and several executives who spoke to HoopsHype believe that a major pay cut is coming for Thompson.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Klay Thompson, 2024 NBA Free Agency, Golden State Warriors Updates
Thompson is making over $43 million this season in the final year of his deal. He was over $40 million last season, but executives believe that his market will be in the $18-20 million range this offseason in free agency.
“I see him at around $18-20 million a year,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I’m not sure he’ll accept that because he sees himself much higher. If all offers are equal, I think he goes back to Golden State. I feel like his relationship with Steph and being able to play in one place is important to him.”
From the sounds of it, if a team wants to pry Thompson away from Golden State, they are going to have to pay a pretty penny. It makes sense that if the money is close enough he would stick with the Warriors, playing his entire career with one NBA franchise. It isn’t as prevalent as it used to be, making it all that more special when a player can do so.
But, as the executive cautioned, Thompson could see himself as a more valuable player than that price tag suggests. Would he accept a contract that pays him $5-7 million less annually than Green?
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Klay Thompson, 2024 NBA Free Agency, Golden State Warriors Updates
These are all things the Warriors will have to take into consideration this offseason in negotiations. It is a delicate situation, especially since Thompson’s production overall has fallen off in recent seasons. He has played exceptionally well off the bench, but can Golden State afford to pay him the kind of money he is seeking?
It will be interesting to see how things play out. His free agency could change the landscape of the NBA, signaling the end of an era in Golden State or a commitment from the franchise to see things through with their Big 3.
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