Keeping the Golden State Warriors‘ core intact has been an impressive exercise in cap acrobatics over the years. Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson have all been paid handsomely to keep the Warriors dynasty on track.
However, with Thompson entering the final year of his $189 million deal, there are doubts as to whether the Warriors will reach an agreement for a contract extension this season.
According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, who was speaking on a June 30 episode of the HoopsHype podcast, Thompson would need to accept a sizeable pay cut. Instead, Slater expects the Warriors guard to bet on himself proving he’s worthy of another big payday by producing at a high level in the coming season.
“As far as an extension this summer, Thompson would have to take a pretty obvious pay cut,” Slater said. “He’s making $43 million right now. I don’t know how low of a number we’re talking about yet. My expectation is probably something doesn’t get done because Thompson believes, and we know how confident he is in his shot-making ability, that he can go and play himself into more money this year…I’d think the Wiggins extension type of numbers. That seems somewhat reasonable for what Klay is still giving as a shooter. He led the NBA in made threes last year (301).”
Thompson ended last season with averages of 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting 43.6% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range. If Thompson can continue producing at a similar level in the upcoming season, the Warriors will likely ensure he gets another payday, especially if those performances help Golden State win another championship.
