In Tuesday night’s game, Klay Thompson found himself on the bench during the critical moments of the Warriors’ close loss to the Suns. This decision by coach Steve Kerr aimed to provide playing time for rookie Brandin Podziemski or, as an alternative view, to let 38-year-old Chris Paul take the floor.
Kerr justified his choice, stating, “I just felt like tonight I had to play the guys who were playing the best.” Thompson, a four-time NBA Champion, acknowledged and agreed with this unusual benching in crunch time, admitting, “I’ve been playing like crap.”
As Thompson navigates a contract year, his on-court performance isn’t aligning with his aspirations. Currently averaging 15.4 points per game, he struggles with a 34.3% three-point shooting and a true shooting percentage well below the league average at 53.7%.
Additionally, his defensive prowess has diminished post a series of significant injuries. Contract extension discussions between Thompson and the Warriors took place over the summer and before the season, but negotiations hit an impasse.
Addressing the contract stalemate, Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that the Warriors proposed a two-year deal around $48 million before the season. Thompson, earning $43.2 million this season, anticipated a pay cut but likely considered $24 million per season too low.
Opting to bet on himself, Thompson aimed to showcase his worth this season, yet that strategy hasn’t yielded the desired results. He might have sought more years and security, but the suggested two-year extension would align his contract with those of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins.
Thompson’s lackluster performance this season diminishes his leverage, making him more valuable to the Warriors than other teams.
While the front office anticipates a shift from the Curry/Green/Thompson era, the team’s current performance, aside from the ageless Curry, could expedite this transition.
Tough decisions lie ahead for the Warriors, and Klay Thompson’s upcoming contract will likely serve as a crucial test case, revealing the organization’s strategy for the post-era transition.
