“I think the feeling is just, Klay wants to be here, we want Klay.”
Despite several reports from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith this week suggesting Klay Thompson “isn’t happy” and that he could leave the Golden State Warriors to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, head coach Steve Kerr doesn’t think the All Star shooting guard is going anywhere.
According to ESPN’s Nick Friedell, the Warriors aren’t too concerned with the possibility Klay being swayed by another organization.
“I know that everybody — coaches, management, ownership — everybody wants Klay back,” Kerr said, according to Friedell. “I think the feeling is just, Klay wants to be here, we want Klay.”
Although much the talk about the upcoming free agent class has focused on KD and Kyrie Irving, Thompson is also in line for a max contract this summer. It was always believed that Thompson would re-sign with Golden State as they move to their new arena, but Stephen A. Smith recently reported that Klay is tired getting “the crumbs” left behind by other people.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski believes the Warriors are preparing to give Thompson the max contract (five-years, $190 million) he desires on July 1, though things could get interesting if the fer falls short Klay’s expectations.
“If they come with a five-year, $190 million max deal for Klay Thompson, that’s done on July 1—he’s going into the new building with Steph Curry,” Wojnarowski said Monday on Get Up! (H/T Bleacher Report). “If they try to do anything less than that, you can expect Klay Thompson to be out in free agency. Watch not for the Lakers then, but the Clippers.”