Golden State Warriors: Thompson Not Heading For Los Angeles – Probably

The Golden State Warriors have a solid core of dynamic players who have taken them to new heights – yet, the rumors continue to swirl about this or that player packing up and heading elsewhere.

The Golden State Warriors have assembled a powerful team – one that has taken over and dominated the NBA over the last few seasons. But compared to Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and now Kevin Durant, it almost feels like Klay Thompson gets overlooked. Or at least overshadowed.

And it’s that perception of the pecking order on the Golden State roster that has undoubtedly led many to believe – and assume – that somebody like Thompson might decide to step out of the shadows and strike out on his own.

Which is very likely where the rumor that he’d be heading south to join Paul George in Los Angeles originated.

It’s pretty much a given that when he becomes a free agent following this season, Paul George is “taking his talents” to Los Angeles where he’ll join Brook Lopez, Lonzo Ball – and whoever else the Lakers still have by then – in trying to rebuild a little bit of Showtime in Tinseltown.
The wrinkle to that story though, is that George is rumored to be banging the phones, trying to get some other superstars to join him in LA. LeBron James‘ name has come up in those rumors. And of course, so has Thompson’s.

The idea of a George-James-Thompson led superteam in Los Angeles is one that could potentially cause a few sleepless nights for many teams around the league – including Golden State.

But at this point, it’s nothing more than speculation and rumor – as are the reports that George has been calling Thompson, lobbying for this to happen.

From Nick DePaula of The Vertical:

"“As for the recent Paul George/Lakers rumors, Klay Thompson shot that down and told me he hasn’t spoken to PG at all lately. Thompson says his last conversation with Paul George was FIFA video game trash talk texts last summer during the Rio Olympics.”"

Skeptics, of course, will reply to this by saying, “what else would you expect him to say?” And that’s not an entirely invalid question. Given that he’s under contract with the Warriors for a couple more seasons, what else could he say to that line of questioning?

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To admit it – and perhaps, admit his interest in it – would surely cause some tension and strife on an otherwise harmonious Warriors squad.

Given how solid, effective, and utterly dynamic their Core Four are though, the Warriors would not let Thompson go without a fight. And since they hold Thompson’s “Bird Rights,” they can make a very compelling pitch for him to stay in the Bay Area.

A team’s “Bird Rights,” allows a team to exceed the salary cap if they are re-signing their own free agents, offering up a max salary. To qualify for that exception, a player must have three seasons with that team, having never been waived or changing teams as a free agent. And as Golden State’s first round pick in 2011, Thompson certainly satisfies those requirements.

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In an interview with The Mercury News’ Marcus Thompson during their Championship parade, Thompson seemingly put to rest the idea that he’s interested in joining the Lakers. Sort of.

"“At the end of the day, I’ve tasted winning. No stats can ever overcome that. I’d rather win these championships and score no points than have 60-point games and 37-point quarters. These championships are everything to me…It’s so much more to being part of a team and being part of something special. You can build a legacy.”"

Although he certainly sounds interested in staying in the Bay Area and seeing how far they can take this magical run, Thompson certainly didn’t slam the door shut and lock it entirely. It’s the last part of that quote that seems relevant – and a little bit open-ended.

"“It’s so much more to being part of a team and being part of something special. You can build a legacy.”"

Being part of a team that rebuilds and revitalizes a once-proud franchise – one of the league’s most storied franchises at that – could certainly count as being part of “something special.” It could also help him add to his legacy – helping build Golden State into a dynasty, and then for the second act of his career, helping re-build the Lakers franchise.

Or… that could simply be reading too deeply into his words and parsing his statements a little too finely. Which, given that it’s now the offseason, is to be expected.

No matter what, Thompson is going to be a Warrior for at least two more seasons. But as that 2018-2019 season wears on and comes closer to the end, it will be interesting to see what is and isn’t being said.

Could Thompson stay with the Warriors when his contract is up? Yeah. In fact, it’s probably likely. But could he head south to join Paul George with the Lakers?

Until he gives a firm, definitive, unequivocal, “No, not gonna happen,” it remains an intriguing possibility.