Golden State Warriors swingman Klay Thompson, a five-time All-Star, four-time champion and future Hall of Famer, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday and leave his only professional team, Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic report.
Thompson, whose father Michael played for the Showtime Lakers and has been a commentator for the team for decades, is apparently gearing up to meet his hometown team, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Dallas Mavericks.
The 6-foot-6 former Washington State wing is said to be “interested” in signing with Los Angeles, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Last year, the two-time All-NBA selection averaged 17.9 points, .432/.387/.927 batting average, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks in 77 games (63 starts). He’s not the defender he was in his prime, but he’s a strong catch-and-shoot contributor and outstanding scorer at three levels.
Thompson, along with nine-time All-Star point guard Stephen Curry and four-time All-Star power forward Draymond Green (and retired 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala), was a constant presence in all six of the Warriors’ NBA Finals appearances and four of their championships. His departure truly marks the end of an era for Golden State and signals that team president Mike Dunleavy Jr. seems to realize that the team’s 46-36 record and loss in the play-in bracket for the 2023-24 season isn’t enough.
Thompson was under contract for five years and $189.9 million, but he certainly won’t get a contract at that level this time around.
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