Report: Klay Thompson Open To Re-Signing With Warriors On Short-Term Deal

According to NBA reporter Kendra Andrews of ESPN, Klay Thompson is open to re-signing with the Golden State Warriors this summer on a short-term deal. 

Thompson becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season. 

“Thompson, who makes $43 million this season, is set to become a free agent this summer for the first time in his career,” Andrews wrote. “Negotiations over an extension began last summer, but no agreement was made. A league source told ESPN that those talks never got to the point where different dollar amounts were being thrown around; instead, a range was presented to Thompson.

“There’s an understanding that a maximum contract — Thompson is eligible for a four-year, $223 million extension — is unrealistic. A league source told ESPN that money and his lineup status are not driving forces for Thompson, and he remains open to a shorter-term deal.”

One of the best shooters in NBA history, Thompson is averaging 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season while shooting 42.1% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.2% from the foul line. The future Hall of Famer has a plus-minus of -38.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told Andrews that Thompson yelled at him when the four-time champion was taken out of the starting lineup. Thompson apologized to Kerr and the assistant coaches after cooling off. 

“It was not an easy conversation,” Kerr said. “This is maybe the hardest part about getting further away from our prime. It’s just, after 12 years [of Thompson starting], it wasn’t easy. And still moving forward, it’s not going to be easy. But I told him, ‘If you really embrace it, you can help your team win.’”

Kerr recently signed a two-year extension with the Warriors. His current deal was set to expire at the end of this season.

Kerr’s $17.5 million-per-season extension takes him through the 2025-26 season. The extension aligns him with the two years left on Stephen Curry’s contract.

Getting Thompson a deal that would also align him with Curry and Thompson would be a viable option, Andrews reported.