The Warriors are on a quest to win three-straight championships and while the team remains focused on achieving that goal, internally, the franchise is preparing for a summer of change.
“Internally in Golden State, there’s a sense of let’s try to put aside what’s coming in July,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on the network’s show Get Up! (h/t Tyler Conley of Bleacher Report). “Let’s try to keep our focus there and win the title, then let July play out the way it’s going to. But I think the Warriors are bracing for possibly seismic change within that organization,”
Klay Thompson is unlikely to switch teams as long as the Warriors present him with a five-year, max deal.
“If they come with a five-year, $190MM max deal for Klay Thompson, that’s done on July 1—he’s going into the new building with Steph Curry,” Woj said.
Many teams will pursue Thompson if the shooting guard does not receive that offer from Golden State. The Lakers will surely have interest in Thompson, but Wojnarowski names the Clippers as the bigger Los Angeles threat to sign the five-time All-Star.
The Clippers are one of a few teams that will have the ability to carve out two max slots. The Knicks are another franchise expected to chase a pair of superstars and Kevin Durant has been regularly linked to the Big Apple.
“I don’t know if there’s a lot of talking that has to happen between the Warriors and Kevin Durant,” Wojnarowski said. “I think he knows what it is, what he wants, and there may be nothing the Warriors can do or say to change that.”
I love Klay as a player, but I have my reservations as to whether he is worth a max deal. To me, he’s just a tier below max, in the same category as players like DeMar DeRozan, etc. Regardless, he will get a max deal
I agree, at times he has shown that max player potential and played out of his mind, but he can be inconsistent too, one night he’s 8 for 10 from three and the next night he’s 1 for 9. His defense is undeniable though, it’s constantly overlooked
Yes he’s perfect for the Warriors and perfect for Steph Curry. But Klay cannot get his own shot he’s not a creator doesn’t have the best Vision or handles. But he’s worth the max to the Warriors because he protects Curry. The Warriors have the money, why not just give it to him.
There will be no seismic change for goodness sake. It’s been reported over and over Warriors will sign Thompson and give Durant whatever he wants.
Thompson and Durant aren’t going anywhere. Draymond will move on eventually.
Yes, they should focus on trying to win the championship. That’s the end goal. Winning the offseason is just a means to that end. That said, if they win, it probably eliminates the small chance they have of keeping of Durant.
It’s very simple. KD accepts a max/supermax deal and the reporter’s questions end for 4 or 5 years. Klay will re-up for sure.
LeBron ended the “will he won’t he” convo by doing a 4 yr max deal.
Kyrie will end the will he won’t he by re-upping for 5 years in Boston.
No one significant is going to go to NYK. And the Knicks would be dumb to just sign only 1, not going to do anything but hurt the ping pong ball odds.
If there was anyone that is on the way out, it’s Draymond. They have been looking for his replacement since they lost the finals. You could see them targeting a Center like Mfiondu Kabengele, versatile forward Isaiah Roby, Johntay Porter.
The shake-up is what happens when they lose the role players to age or free agency and how they replace them. They need the next group of ring chasers to come in and replace Livingston, Draymond, Iggy, Boogie.
Damn you hate the knicks so much that you don’t give them a chance to sign anybody?
Klay does not create shots or try to, the usual feature of maxiness. He got off to a slow start this year and may not be motivated to change that in the future.
However.
Bonus points for being invaluable to the team conceptually, seminally, and on the floor. Makes big plays and little plays. Spontaneous, quickminded. Can frustrate a hot hand or heat up himself. Works with everyone– GSW has a variety of strong personalities. Stays in shape; could move to the 3 if he slows.
GSW will have to max him and it won’t hurt much to do so.
Before the Lakers, Will led the Sixers to the NBA title in 1966-67. He did have help in the form of Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, and Luke Jackson.
Wilt.
Nothing would make me happier than to see this team split up, but it won’t happen. Klay is staying put and I doubt Durant goes anywhere Bc he has the easiest route to a ring by staying in GS. And he loves to take the easy way out even though he’s a great player.
Why is everyone worried about Durant leaving? The Warriors were winning titles before he arrived. He just attached himself to the ship like a barnacle. A barnacle that is a very good player, but a barnacle nonetheless. Thompson leaving would be a much bigger loss than Durant for GS. They can replace Durant with a good, not great, player and still be the championship favorite.
Well, Thompson is already a good but not great player, so they could obviously do the same with him…
Klay fortunately appears committed to re-sign …
KD … hopefully … but what if he opts out (likely) and really wants to move on?
Question — Can the W’s sign & trade a super-maxed KD … and hopefully get something back? Is this possible?
… perhaps to Clippers (Gallinari + draft picks) or Celtics (Hayward + draft picks)?