SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy on Thursday joined the club created two days earlier by Steve Kerr, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry.
The “Keep Klay Thompson Club” – with the idea of maintaining the core that has won four NBA Finals – now has four important members among Golden State’s decision-makers.
“Well, considering they won four [championships] before, I would say it’s well within the realm of reasonable,” Dunleavy said. “But we have to, you know, we definitely want Klay back, first and foremost. I told him this yesterday. Our players expressed it, our coach, our front office, our ownership.
“Look, everyone wants Klay back.”
Thompson, 34, will become an unrestricted free agent in July. Drafted by the Warriors in 2011, he spent his entire career sharing the backcourt with Curry, the team’s longtime franchise player.
But there have been indications — followed by plenty of speculation — that Thompson wants to remain a Warriors, although he’s willing to shop the market.
The general manager is not only on board with Klay’s return, but he feels optimistic about it happening.
“I think it’s a mutual feeling,” Dunleavy said. “This guy has been here for a long time. He means so much to the organization. We really, really appreciate it. So, nothing would make me think that he wants to go anywhere else, or that we don’t want him to come back. This is why I hope we can achieve this.
“But it’s a deal. Both parties have to be good with this. And we will achieve it. »
Kerr expressed a similar desire Tuesday night, immediately after Golden State’s season-ending play-in loss to the Kings in Sacramento. A few minutes later, Green took the podium with the same hope. Curry, the last of the Warriors to speak, also gave his speech.
One thing is for sure: A massive roster decision like this will ultimately be made by Warriors CEO Joe Lacob and Dunleavy.
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