Warriors guard Klay Thompson shares his feelings on entering season without a new contract

The gang is all here for at least another year.

While Steph Curry and Draymond Green are under contract for multiple years, head coach Steve Kerr and shooting guard Klay Thompson are in their final seasons.

Kerr stated last week that he is not concerned and is certain that something will be done.

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson (11) warms up before the start of Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., on Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Thompson didn’t sound quite as assured during the Warriors’ media day on Monday.

When asked if he thinks he’ll sign a new contract before the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 24, Thompson answered, “I think it’s possible.” If not, life is still wonderful.”

Thompson, who will age 34 in February, is reaching the end of his five-year, $190 million contract, which he signed on July 10, 2019.

“I’m playing basketball in my 13th year in the NBA, I have no complaints,” he was quoted as saying. “Whatever the future holds, I’ve accomplished so much in this uniform.” There are plenty more memories to be made. Whatever happens, life is wonderful. I have nothing to complain about. I’ve had a fantastic run here.”

With the Warriors apparently attempting to stay under the second level of the luxury tax bracket, which would place their team salary just around $190 million, it may be difficult to pay Thompson and still make it work.

According to The Athletic, no proposals have been made by the Warriors or Thompson’s camp, and neither side is in a hurry to close a deal.

The Warriors let Green play his final season without a contract before signing him to a four-year, $100-million contract in June, shortly after the season ended.

Thompson, one month Green’s senior, is coming off one of his best seasons. He topped the NBA in 3-pointers (301), becoming only the third player in NBA history to do it in a single season. Only Curry and James Harden have pulled it off.

However, there was speculation following the season that Thompson was attempting to become a more well-rounded player. He was nominated to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2018-19, but his steals have dropped by nearly half in the last two seasons.

When asked what he’s been working on this summer, he stated he’s been focusing on the finer points of the game.

“Scoring is fun,” he says, “but sometimes it’s equally as fun getting a stop, a good rebound, or making an assist.” “These are simple plays.” When I was hooping this summer, I just tried to do things that helped the team win. Whether it’s finding the open man, taking the open shot, playing defense, or not feeling obligated to score in order for my team to win. I’m just trying to be a total cerebral gamer. “I’m hoping to do that this season.”

If he does, Thompson should get a lucrative contract from the Warriors or someone else in the winter.

Curry, who is two years older, has demonstrated the ability to sustain his scoring statistics while also becoming a better rebounder in his latter years.

Thompson’s offseason training intensity has increased this year, according to him. Curry stated that Thompson appears to be focused “mentally and physically.”

“He looks great,” Curry exclaimed. “Compared to his experience last summer, I think it’s a night and day difference in the way he’s talking about it, the way he approached it, the progress he’s gone through this offseason, the confidence he has in himself and his body and to hit the ground running.”