Part of an era is likely coming to a close.
NBA free agency starts in earnest on Sunday morning, and to prep for it, the Golden State Warriors got a double dose of rough news. First, it was learned that Paul George would not opt into the final year of his deal with the LA Clippers, thus ending the one path the Warriors had to acquiring the nine-time All-Star. And now, the sentimental blow. According to a report from The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania, the Warriors are expecting Klay Thompson to sign elsewhere.
The Warriors have publicly stated their desire to re-sign Thompson, but it’s been a slightly different scene behind the curtain. Golden State does want to bring Thompson back, but they’re intent on it only coming at the right cost … and perhaps more crucially, at the right time, so that they can explore other options first before making that commitment.
Thompson, one of the most accomplished and beloved players in franchise history, has understandably wanted to be a higher priority. Slater and Charania report that, “he isn’t expected to be there waiting as a willing secondary priority in their summer plan, with his side feeling that the Warriors’ interest in a reunion has been disingenuous.”
Those feelings, combined with what appears to be a more active market for his services than the Dubs had anticipated, are making a departure appear imminent. Among other teams, Thompson has already been lined to the Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and LA Clippers.
While the relationship between Thompson and the organization appears fractured at this point, Slater and Charania report that Golden State is willing to participate in a sign-and-trade with Thompson to help ensure he maximizes how much money he makes this offseason.
There’s always a chance that things change — a talk from Steph Curry has been known to impact a thing or two — but for now it certainly looks like Klay has played his last game as a Warrior, with Slater and Charania writing that, “Both sides are currently operating as if their 13-year run together is over,” and adding that the two sides haven’t been in contact in weeks. And with that news — plus the George news — the Warriors are now staring down the barrel of potentially running back their highly-disappointing 2023-24 season, except without Thompson or Chris Paul. Which would probably be a pretty bad basketball team.