Following an exceptional last season, Klay Thompson expects a max contract from the Golden State Warriors. He also wants to defend the Championship this season and take this tally to five. However, he feels that it will prove a point to the franchise and a max contract this offseason will be much easier if they win the Championship.
“I’m seeking a championship. And everything else after that will play itself out,” Thompson said after the Warriors lost Game 1 of their playoffs first-round clash against the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors lost 126-123 but Thompson is hopeful that they will beat the Kings and win the Championship again.
Earlier, ESPN’s renowned journalist Adrian Wojnarowski published a report on Saturday called the ‘NBA Countdown’. There he mentioned how Thompson’s expectations for a max contract would make things difficult for the Warriors going forward.
“Thompson, I’m told, has an expectation that he would be rewarded with a new, max-level contract extension this offseason,” Wojnarowski reported.
Thompson came back from a long injury layoff to help the Warriors win the Championship last season. He had a monstrous scoring season as he became only the third player in the league to hit 300 three-pointers in a season. He has a year left on his contract and if he helps them win another title then he may just demand a max contract.
“He’s got a year left on his deal of $43 million next year. He’s come back this year, certainly helped the team to a championship last year and had a historic offensive season this season. He’s just the third player ever to have 300 3-pointers in a season,” Wojnarowski stated in his report.
The NBA insider highlights how things can take a rough turn for the Warriors if Thompson asks for a max contract. Their total payroll and the luxury tax would go over $500 million.
“But this is an inflection point now for the Golden State organization. With Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, who could opt into his deal at $27 million, the Warriors could be facing a payroll and luxury tax over $500 million,” Wojnarowski added.
Thompson currently has a year left in his contract and will according to the max contract that he signed in 2019, he will be getting $43 million next season.
He has been pretty good again this season. He is averaging 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. But the problem is he is already 33 and giving him a max contract may affect the franchise in case his shot-making and three-point production takes a hit later.
However, all of this depends on their current playoffs run. A deep run or even another title will more or less force the owners to keep this core together.
