Klay Thompson has been a major contributor to the Golden State Warriors’ success over the past seven years. His upcoming free agency in 2019 is causing speculation.
Klay Thompson, theGolden State Warriors‘ torchy shooting guard, has been the subject of rampant speculation this summer.
When you’re under the spotlight, and do something as simple as, change your hair style, people freak out, question your loyalty, and ask, “Who ARE you?”
That he spent part of the summer hanging out withLos Angeles LakerscoachLuke Waltononly adds fuel to the fire.
TeammateAndre Iguodala, who would have been one of Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters in another era,tweeteda cryptic comment implying that Thompson was being recruited by Walton.
More from Golden State Warriors
- Warriors unlikely to draft Anthony Edwards due to character concerns
- Warriors: September minicamp mimics NBA bubble
- Warriors: Eric Paschall named to NBA All-Rookie first team
- Warriors reportedly eyeing a wing in the 2020 NBA Draft
- Warriors: Is the team destined to trade its No. 2 overall draft pick?
Thompson has previouslystatedhis desire to stay with the Warriors long term. But free agency is a time to listen to pitches and consider all possibilities.
The reasons for him to be interested in the Lakers are compelling and logical – he grew up in Los Angeles, hisfatherplayed for the dynastic Lakers, and he knows Walton well from the latter’s days as a Warriors assistant coach.
Thompson will be a free agent next summer and will be highly coveted by any team trying to dethrone the Warriors. As notedbefore, Thompson is a tough three-and-D player who would upgrade anyone’s starting lineup, so any interest by the Lakers should come as no surprise.
(Of courseKawhi Leonardis interested in LA, but questions surrounding his circumstances in Toronto won’t be answered until this season has played out.)
Thompson’s circumstance raises the question of why anyone would want to leave the Warriors. Financial considerations are important, of course, but it’s not as simple as comparing salaries across teams.
No matter what he decides, Klay Thompson is on a Hall of Fame trajectory. The four-time All-Star has three championship rings and counting, and could finish his career with over 3,000 three-pointers. At 28 years of age, Thompson is just entering his prime.
He oncescored37 points in one quarter. Another time hescored60 points in 29 minutes while taking only 11 dribbles. Heburiedthe OKCThunderin the 2016 playoffs. Players like this have options.
Here are some of the questions Klay may consider next summer.
Question one: do I enjoy going to work every day?
People always point to the amount of talent that the Golden State Warriors have. But it’s the culture of an organization that makes its success sustainable. It’s true infamilies, inbusiness, and insport.
Does Thompson want to continue playing on a team that minimizes egos, values him, and plays to his strengths? Or would he want to join a team with a new alpha male and an uncertain culture, especially where the chances of winning a championship are less than where he is now?
In considering a move to LA, Thompson would have to weigh what it’s like to play withLeBron James(one of the top three players of all time, depending on which era you grew up in).
It would be a coup for LeBron to have a dependable Klay Thompson join the Lakers, given hisfrustrationswith prior teammates. But it’s also not easy playing with LeBron, as others willattest.
More fromGolden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
Question two: what do I want my legacy to be?
As the great Ricky Bobby oncesaid, “if you’re not first, you’re last.” We live in a culture of winners and losers. Thompson has a good probabilistic chance of winning five or more rings in Golden State.
In doing so, Thompson wouldjoina select few, including the 1960sBoston Celticsplayers,Michael Jordan, andKobe Bryant, in this pantheon of one-for-the-thumb-plus winners. If he goes somewhere else, his odds decrease significantly.
Question three: is money more important than questions one and two?
If you’re an average NBA player, by all means maximize your income during your brief window of opportunity. The elite players have the luxury of choice.
By all accounts, Klay lives a simple, happy life with his dogRocco. He’s not trying to get into Hollywood or buy a sports franchise. So while more money is (generally) better than less, should he sacrifice quality of life for the pursuit of uber-wealth?
Whatever Klay Thompson decides, no one could blame him. Players and fans (outside of theOklahoma Cityarea) know that, as a player with a limited shelf life, you have to go and get yours, in whatever form that may take.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations