Klay Thompson Open To Reduced Role To Stay With Warriors

Klay Thompson, one of the best shooters in NBA history, told Logan Murdock of The Ringer that he’s open to a reduced role to stay with the Golden State Warriors.

Thompson becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. He’s averaging only 16.9 points this season while shooting 41.3% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc. 

“Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Thompson said. “I’ll be 35 next year. At 35, coming off the ACL and an Achilles [tear] and still have the ability to be a really good player. Maybe not the guy who scored 60 in three quarters and scored an NBA record 37 points in a quarter, but still a great threat out there. I’ve modeled my game after Reggie [Miller] and Ray [Allen], and those guys were incredibly effective until their late 30s. So I plan on kind of following that mold.”

The Warriors are 25-25 on the season. They are in 10th place in the Western Conference standings. Two-time MVP Stephen Curry is the only player on the team averaging at least 20.0 points. 

Thompson is making $43.2 million this season. Even though the five-time All-Star has struggled in 2023-24, the Warriors never considered trading him at the trade deadline, sources told Hoops Wire. 

“I mean, just for where we started,” Thompson said. “The Warriors before we got there had a good history as far as Wilt and Rick Barry and TMC and We Believe. I think we elevated that to another level. I just think it’s a special, special group, and then when we win and go to so many championships together, … it’s like a bond for life. It’s probably the best part of the job, honestly. Trumps the money, trumps the fame, just being able to have a bond for life with those guys.”

Thompson will have his number 11 jersey retired by the Warriors one day. He’s won four titles with the Golden State. The Washington State product has career averages of 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Dubs.