2019 NBA free agency: Predicting where the top free agents will land
Klay Thompson: Golden State Warriors
After watching Klay Thompson stride back out onto the floor to shoot free throws in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, on what we now know was a torn ACL, anything less than a five-year, $190 million max deal would feel criminal from the Golden State Warriors.
Even with the second Splash Brother sidelined until next February or March, he’s intrinsic to this NBA dynasty’s identity, offense, floor-spacing, culture … everything. Early reports indicated the Dubs would pony up with a five-year max offer for both Klay and Kevin Durant, and according to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, that’s what’s happening right away on Sunday:
Sources: Golden State is planning to offer All-Star Klay Thompson a 5-year, $190M maximum contract when free agency opens Sunday at 6 PM ET --- which is expected to accelerate process of GM Bob Myers and Thompson’s agent, Greg Lawrence, quickly reaching formal agreement.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2019
The Athletic‘s Shams Charania had already reported that if the Warriors enter Sunday with that max offer, negotiations should be quick, and Thompson will remain with Golden State. If talks fell through, he would consider meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers, or even the Los Angeles Lakers, but it doesn’t appear that’s going to happen.
Klay Thompson is a three-time NBA champion, five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, stellar defender and, by all rights, will probably go down as the second-best shooter ever. He’s still only 29 years old and fought through injury to try and help his shorthanded team three-peat. The Dubs should do the right thing and take the first step toward preserving a dynasty by re-signing him no matter the cost.