Michael Scotto of HoopsHype spoke to eight executives around the NBA to get their predictions for Klay Thompson‘s next contract. Of those eight execs, three projected Thompson would make $18-20MM annually on his next deal, while the other five have the Warriors veteran in the $20-25MM range. Half of those executives also expect Golden State to try to line up Thompson’s next contract with Stephen Curry‘s by signing him to a two-year deal, Scotto notes.
Those predictions line up with the offer the Warriors reportedly made to Thompson before the 2023/24 season began. Shams Charania of The Athletic indicated back in December that Golden State had put a two-year, $48MM extension on the table, but that Thompson passed on it. A handful of the executives who spoke to Scotto believe the 34-year-old’s value has dipped a little since then.
“I see him at around $18-20 million a year,” one exec said. “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.”
According to Scotto, seven of the eight execs who weighed in on Thompson’s future believe he’ll ultimately stick with the Warriors, though at least one of those seven had some ideas for potential suitors who could put some pressure on Golden State.
“I think other teams would sign him. If you’re Detroit, wouldn’t you love that level of maturity and experience? (Pistons head coach) Monty Williams wants a grown-up,” the exec said. “If you’re the Magic, don’t you want a grown-up? They need a legitimate shooting guard. Jalen Suggs is a combo guard. I think Gary Harris could be gone this summer. Let the point guard position be a combination of Anthony Black, Suggs, and Cole Anthony. Orlando likes size, which Klay has, and he’d give them shooting.”
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Warriors center Kevon Looney told Scotto that he and his teammates haven’t discussed Thompson’s contract situation at all with him, but Looney made it clear that he doesn’t want Klay going anywhere. “We know we want Klay to be here forever,” he said. “He’s a Warrior for life no matter what. Even if he did go somewhere, he’s still going to be a guy that has a statue and jersey in the rafters. … Hopefully, he gets to stay forever. That’s one of my goals as well. Hopefully, this core gets to ride it out.”
- Rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis showed in Wednesday’s win over Milwaukee that he deserves serious consideration for postseason minutes in a crowded Warriors rotation, writes Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. The big man had 15 points (on 7-of-8 shooting), six rebounds, and four blocks – including three on Giannis Antetokounmpo shot attempts – and was a +20 in 19 minutes of action. “We’ve got to get Trayce more minutes to get him ready for the playoffs because he needs reps. He needs more time,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “You can see what he did (on Wednesday). He has an ability to finish and to block shots that gives us a different look.”
- Former Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers was the subject of a tribute video and received a standing ovation from fans in Golden State after being introduced by his three daughters during Wednesday’s game vs. the Bucks (Twitter video links via NBC Sports Bay Area and Kendra Andrews of ESPN). Myers, who was making his first public appearance in the Chase Center since leaving the Warriors in 2023, was working the game as an ESPN analyst.
- In case you missed it, we’re waiting for an update on the severity of Stephen Curry‘s ankle injury, which forced him to exit Thursday’s loss to Chicago early. Curry is having imaging done on his right ankle on Friday, tweets Andrews.
Waive Two way players Jerome Robinson and Guruba and look at Killian Hayes, McClung or Jazian Gortmen at PG and John Butler
CP3 is not even close to Curry’s play. I will be happy when he is not on the team next year. The offense slows down when he is in by dribbling way too much and waiting sometimes to the final 5 seconds passing the ball.
If the Magic make Markelle the odd man out they will definitely regret that he is their best pg at thw moment
Lacob has said he wants to get Warriors payroll out of the luxury tax. Thompson wants to be paid more than $20M a year. Both can’t happen
Especially when Kuminga is going to get a extension. They are in good shape to bring back all but CP3, and Saric next year if Thompson comes down to about $15 million a season.
Said it before Lacob has clearly put Klay extension in jeopardy cause of Kuminga and tax BS … I still note understand why the FO did nothing with CP3 contract AT thé deadline to get a Gafford or some rebound and cut tax
Klay is only worth 1 year $10 million contract
Lacob is the reason Kuminga has improved? The Dubs are 3rd in the NBA in rebounding, not something they struggle with. Washington only 1sts for Gafford. Definitely not CP3.
Klay, more than likely, has Bird Rights. So, not a big hit there. Saric is most likely gone. He is on a bounce back contract. Looney and CP3 are on non-guaranteed contracts. That’s $38 million.
looney’s contract is guaranteed from what I read. Kerr should have played him last night. So if its non-guaranteed he is most gone and replaced. Without CP#, Thompson and Saric next year that is almost a drop of $80 million from payroll.
This team wants to ride off into the sunset and keep it’s young players…
Going to be paying the tax to be mediocre… Or give up on 1 of the timelines…
Either way their fans won’t be happy…
It’s obvious you are not a fan. So, why do you care?
Mike Conley got $2/21m. Is there any reason why Klay would deserve more? Or even that if we’re being serious