Klay Thompson and the Warriors appear to be in no rush to reach a contract agreement.
After Golden State’s 2023-24 NBA season officially ended following a play-in loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center, Thompson will become an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing the final year of five years. , $190 million contract extension he signed in the summer of 2019.
While the Warriors, from teammates Steph Curry and Draymond Green to coach Steve Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy, have expressed their desire to see Thompson return, there hasn’t been much traction in negotiations between the veteran guard and team.
So little, in fact, that Thompson’s camp and the Warriors haven’t had “substantial” discussions about a new contract “in months,” ESPN’s Zack Lowe reported Wednesday, citing sources.
Lowe also reported, citing league sources, that Thompson is expected to draw interest from other teams in free agency.
ESPN’s Kendra Andrews reported in November, citing sources, that contract negotiations with the Warriors were weighing on Thompson, which could be a reason the two sides haven’t had substantive discussions in so long.
What could a contract look like for Thompson? Lowe believes Jrue Holiday’s four-year, $135 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics is a framework around which Thompson and the Warriors can build.
While Thompson is unlikely to play anywhere else next season, there is a reality in which the two sides cannot come to terms on a new deal. And with NBA free agency set to begin July 1, Thompson and the Warriors have about two and a half months to find a solution.
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