The calendar flips to June this weekend. It’s the final month of Klay Thompson’s current contract with the Golden State Warriors, and there remains a realistic chance these are the fading days of his 13-year run with the organization. As the decision on his future nears, there’s been no notable movement from either side toward a resolution, league sources said.
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The Warriors maintain a desire to retain Thompson at the right price once other aspects of their roster retool get clarified. But they haven’t exactly been beating down his door to work out the framework for an extension (which can be signed at any time). In turn, the 34-year-old Thompson appears ready to test free-agency waters, exploring external options for the first time in his career.
The last time Thompson was a free agent, back in the summer of 2019, a quick max deal was agreed to without drama: five seasons, no team or player options, no thorny negotiations, no flirting with rival teams.
That isn’t the current landscape. Thompson spent the last month traveling and decompressing after an early, bitter end to a stressful season. But June is business time in the NBA. It’s time for Thompson and his representation to figure out what options are truly out there for him, what he wants and what it would take for Golden State to lure him back. Then it’ll be on the Warriors to offer it or not.
Thompson wants to win. Don’t expect him to chase the largest possible offer from the Detroit Pistons or Charlotte Hornets, even if that’s the correct financial or leverage move. But there are plenty of cap-space teams with a clearer upward path to contention than the Warriors. That includes the Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.
Thompson isn’t the biggest free-agency fish. Paul George, who has a player option with the Clippers next season, is the most appealing veteran likely on the open market. His decision to return to LA or flee elsewhere will impact others. Thompson is one of the many dominoes behind him, sitting somewhere in the Malik Monk/Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/DeMar DeRozan/D’Angelo Russell/Buddy Hield mix, depending on a team’s priorities.
Some of these cap-space teams will whiff on their first, second and even third options (and probably know that by mid-June) and need to pivot. Thompson is still durable and accurate. He played 69 and 77 games the last two seasons and hit 569 3s at a 40 percent clip.
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His age and injury history might scare a team away from throwing down a long-term commitment, but perhaps a shorter-term, bigger-money deal could appeal to both sides, similar to the Bruce Brown Jr. or Fred VanVleet structures from a summer ago. That would give teams like the Thunder, Sixers or Magic — which all could’ve used his floor spacing in the playoffs — help now without a restrictive financial situation later.
Other circ*mstances could theoretically materialize, like a sign-and-trade suitor or a non-taxpayer midlevel offer (which is projected to be in the $13 million range) at an appealing landing spot, but those winning cap-space teams profile as the biggest threats to pull Thompson away from the Warriors in the simplest manner.
It’s an unsettled time for the Warriors’ coaching staff. Lead assistant Kenny Atkinson is one of the favorites to land the head coaching job in Cleveland. If Atkinson gets it, Steve Kerr — whose duties as Team USA head coach will have him occupied in July — will have to fill a large vacancy next to him on the bench.
But, league sources indicate, the Warriors are contemplating a coaching staff addition regardless of whether the Cavaliers hire Atkinson, which would follow the Mike Brown and Jama Mahlalela departures in recent years and the tragic loss of Dejan Milojević this past January.
The Warriors had some conversation with former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham in recent weeks, per league sources. That isn’t expected to materialize. But it is a signal of the Warriors’ desire to add a big-name assistant, and indications are they are in search of either a former head coach or former player to fill the role. If Atkinson leaves, they may add two assistant coaches. It remains a fluid time across the league in the coaching world.
Conversations about significant personnel moves are only beginning to heat up across the league. The Warriors’ big offseason move last summer — the Jordan Poole-for-Chris Paul trade — came together in a pretty condensed period in mid-June and was finalized the morning of the draft.
So there isn’t anything imminent or even deep in the works, but transaction days are fast approaching. Indications remain that the Warriors’ front office intends to be aggressive and willing to shake up the core, feeling that this group was given a chance to stick together this past trade deadline and it didn’t even result in a playoff berth.
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What will that materialize into? That’s hard to decipher without knowing what will be available to them and how exactly they plan to navigate the luxury tax. The Warriors have stated a desire to duck it entirely, if the opportunity presents, but indicate they will remain in it if there is a move they believe vaults them back into contention. What move or player would qualify? Could this just end up being a step-back season even if it won’t be messaged that way?
We discussed some of the Warriors’ options on our offseason preview podcast. Two quick situations of note: If Brandon Ingram hits the trade market, I would not expect the Warriors to show interest. If the Heat shop Jimmy Butler, I would expect the Warriors to enter the conversation to at least some degree.
Here are three June dates that matter.
- June 24: Kevon Looney’s contract goes from $3 million guaranteed to all $8 million guaranteed unless he is released.
- June 27: This is the second round of the NBA Draft. The Warriors bought the 52nd pick from the Indiana Pacers during the Cory Joseph trade in February. They’ve spent the last couple of weeks working out a bunch of veteran college players who profile as potential second-round picks.
- June 28: All of Chris Paul’s $30 million contract is guaranteed on this date. If both sides agree, it can be pushed back. From all indications, Paul has been extremely professional and willing to work with the Warriors through all the possible options that may materialize with his flexible contract situation.
Required Reading
- How plausible are Brandon Ingram, Lauri Markkanen and others in Golden State?
- Eight potential trade targets for the Warriors
- Steve Kerr talks Warriors’ transition, Olympics and more
(Photo of Klay Thompson: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
Anthony Slater is a senior writer covering the Golden State Warriors for The Athletic. He's covered the NBA for a decade. Previously, he reported on the Oklahoma City Thunder for The Oklahoman. Follow Anthony on Twitter @anthonyVslater
