Klay Thompson, a guard for the Golden State Warriors, is reportedly having trouble starting games quickly this season because of his contract status.

Sources told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews that Thompson has been “weighing” the terms of his deal during the first month of the campaign.

This season marks the last of a five-year, $189.9 million deal extension that the 33-year-old veteran and potential Hall of Famer signed with the Dubs in 2019.

Thompson’s season-long average of 15.0 points per game through 16 games is the lowest it has been since his rookie campaign in 2011–12.

In addition, with 2.8 three-pointers per game, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, he is averaging the fewest that he has been since 2013–14.

Thompson’s main problem has been efficiency; he is shooting 36.7 percent from three-point range and a career-worst 40.2 percent from the field.

Due to knee and Achilles problems, Thompson missed the entire 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons. However, in 2021–22, he made a spectacular comeback, averaging 20.4 points per game for the Warriors, who won the NBA championship.

After a year off from injuries, Thompson had an even more impressive season in which he averaged 21.9 points and made a career-high 4.4 three-pointers per game.

Thompson’s dismal three-point shooting, which stands at 36.7 percent from long range, is a major factor in why he hasn’t looked like the same player this season compared to his career average of 41.5 percent.

Thompson ranks 10th in career three-pointers made and 17th in lifetime three-point shooting %, making him one of the greatest long-range shooters in NBA history.

One of the reasons Golden State is off to a disappointing 8-9 start is that he hasn’t found his shooting form this season.

With 29.6 points per game, Stephen Curry leads the club, while Thompson is second with just 15 points. Curry has very much had to do it all.

The only players on the Dubs who are averaging more than 12 points a game are Curry and Thompson, and that combination can only succeed if Thompson returns to his previous level of 20 points per game.

Thompson still has plenty of time to improve, but if he doesn’t, it’s reasonable to question if the Warriors will be prepared to pay a high salary to hold onto the five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion.