An era is coming to an end, reportedly.
The Golden State Warriors are bracing for a significant change as Klay Thompson, a foundational piece of their franchise’s success, appears set to leave the team. This development marks the end of an era for the Warriors, who have thrived with Thompson as a key player for over a decade.
Reports from Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic on Saturday revealed that Golden State has essentially accepted that Thompson will not be returning.
Despite his long tenure of 13 seasons with the Warriors, communication between Thompson and the team has nearly ceased since the free agency negotiation period began nearly two weeks ago. No contract offers have been extended to Thompson, and the lack of proactive engagement from the Warriors has left Thompson feeling like he isn’t a priority in their offseason plans.
This separation comes as a significant shock given Thompson’s integral role in the team’s success. Alongside Stephen Curry, he was instrumental in forming one of the most lethal shooting backcourts in NBA history, significantly influencing the league’s emphasis on three-point shooting.
The duo’s exceptional play helped ignite a league-wide shift towards a more perimeter-oriented game.
Thompson’s departure is particularly poignant considering his contributions to the Warriors’ dynasty, which includes four NBA championships. He, along with Curry, Draymond Green, and coach Steve Kerr, formed the core group that propelled Golden State to the pinnacle of basketball success.
Selected by the Warriors as the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Thompson has never donned another team’s jersey. His last season under a five-year, $189.9 million contract saw him earning $43.2 million.
However, it was statistically one of his less impressive seasons, with averages of 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc—near a career low.
The fact that there has been no negotiation suggests a significant divide in contract expectations between Thompson and the Warriors. It seems both parties were aware that their remarkable partnership was nearing its conclusion.
As Thompson looks ahead to his 14th season in the NBA, it will be with a new team, marking a fresh chapter in his illustrious career.
