Tuesday night likely signaled a faltering close to the era of the Golden State Warriors as we’ve known them.
In the 9-10 matchup of the NBA play-in tournament, they fell to the Sacramento Kings 118-94, marking the end of their season. The once-dominant core couldn’t overcome the Kings, and it was painfully clear that they were succumbing to the effects of aging.
Stephen Curry, who had previously scored 50 points in a game to knock the Kings out, only managed 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting this time. Draymond Green put up a decent line with 12 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals, but the Warriors were outplayed by 22 points during his time on the court.
The most startling performance, however, came from Klay Thompson, who failed to score, missing all 10 of his attempts. His departure from the court seemed to be a poignant acknowledgment of his fading prowess.
Post-game, on Inside The NBA, Charles Barkley delivered a candid assessment of Thompson’s future with the Warriors. With Thompson approaching free agency, Barkley suggested that Golden State should seriously reconsider his role, emphasizing the decline in his performance.
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Thompson’s season was a stark departure from his peak years. Although he averaged 17.9 points per game on 43.2% shooting, his impact was often detrimental as he struggled to shoot his way out of slumps and no longer contributed positively on defense.
This Tuesday starkly reminded us that Thompson is far from the player he once was. As Barkley pointed out, what we’re seeing now may be as good as it gets for him, with his best days clearly behind him. This puts the Warriors in a tough spot as they approach his free agency.
With Curry’s massive contract on the books and Green’s recent extension, the Warriors have limited financial flexibility, especially considering their need to fill numerous roster gaps. If Thompson demands a salary akin to his former All-Star status, it may force the Warriors to make a tough decision. The prudent move might be to let him go unless he’s willing to accept a significant pay cut.
