SAN FRANCISCO – Klay Thompson quickly left the Golden 1 center in Sacramento on Tuesday night, too fresh to speak to reporters with another removal injury. He missed all 10 of his shots and scored zero points against what he would later call “Big Old Donut,” as impending free agency loomed over his head and the entire Golden State Warriors organization.
That made Thompson the star attraction for Wednesday afternoon’s interviews. He was the last of the players and the voice everyone came to hear. Around 3pm Pacific time – after meeting with Mike Dunleavy and Steve Kerr – Thomson walked into the room with a thick lip. It came from an elbow during a Sacramento Kings game and only added to the excitement.
Thompson was immediately granted free agency.
“Don’t we want to talk about the beginning of the season?” He shot back. “Want to talk about the future? Lots of games played, man. That was a big hit. What’s wrong with you, bro, if you don’t want to live where you are now? It’s funny.” What was your question anyway?”
Thompson remembered why his future is such an important topic. He is a franchise legend and local icon, playing 13 seasons and winning four titles for the same franchise. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr are under contract for at least two more seasons. Thompson’s contract has expired. Extension talks went nowhere. Believing that he will leave Golden State this summer is a sure result that marks the end of an era.
“You know, I didn’t think much of it because I talked about the season earlier,” Thompson said. “I haven’t really thought about the future that much because I still have to process the past year. It was full of ups and downs but in the end we – me personally and our team did our best to try and win as many games as we could.
Getting out early gives him an extra buffer before free agency, but the league moves quickly. Thompson’s conversation with Kerr and Dunleavy on Wednesday was the first of what will surely be many important back-and-forths between Thompson, Kerr, Dunleavy, Curry, Green, Joe Lacob and Kirk Lacob in the coming weeks.
“Wow, considering it’s April 17th, I don’t think I should bring that up so quickly,” Thompson said. “When’s free agency? July 1? Yeah, I’ve got some time. I’ve got some time.”
Most agents, front office staff and insiders know that free agency doesn’t start on July 1. It basically ends. All the big decisions are made behind the scenes in leadership. So this big pick for Thompson and his Warriors is coming faster than the outside world can believe. But nothing is decided at this time. The league often reacts and changes depending on what happens in the playoffs starting this weekend.
What are Thompson’s priorities?
“Of course you want to keep winning,” he said. “I mean, when you have a winning season, you don’t want to get out of there. So I want to win again. One (championship ring) would be good for the thumb. I think it’s still achievable. It’s just, yeah, make a big effort. But other than that, just thinking about it, what makes you really happy in the last years of your career.
Kerr, Curry and Green all made a point Tuesday night to tell reporters they want Thompson back and believe he will. Green said he feels the organization will pay what he wants because they always have, giving Thompson a max deal in the summer of 2019 after he tore his ACL in the NBA Finals.
“Oh man,” Thompson said. “In the year Can you imagine if they didn’t pay me after I got hurt in 2019? That was too bad. Like, ‘Oh, you went to five straight finals, blew your knee, yeah, sorry.’ So, no, I mean, it was really nice of them. I try my best every year. And the ownership team was great. I have nothing but positive things to say about them. They treat us like they treat us with great respect and do all the little things for us to do our jobs at the highest level. So, it was, I mean, I don’t know how to answer that. I mean, it’s up to them, but at the end of the day, whatever happens, it’s all gravy. It was an incredibly special run.”
Here is a video of most of the answers. His body language always speaks volumes.
Klay Thompson free agency related answers are here today.
“What’s wrong with you who don’t want to live in the present? so funny”
“Well, considering it’s April 17th, I shouldn’t be prompting that. When is free agency? July 1st? I’ve got some time.” pic.twitter.com/G7FFlefdnL
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 17, 2024
Here are a few other important notes from the exit interviews.
Kuminga is eligible for an extension this summer. He is under contract for $7.6 million regardless of what happens next season, but the Warriors could avoid restricted free agency next summer if they agree to a deal. Those talks usually don’t heat up until October.
“Oh, wow, never, never thought of that,” said Kuminga. “That’s something I think my agent is working on. Now I just focus on my mind and body and everything takes care of itself.
“I like it here,” Kuminga said of his future with the Warriors.
Jonathan Kuminga is eligible for an extension this summer: “Oh, wow! I didn’t even think about that.”
About the future: “I like it here.” pic.twitter.com/I0i5gGwMAo
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 17, 2024
Cuminga was asked about his biggest areas of growth this season and communicated, pointing to the rocky moments of his limited playing time, and finally had a tough talk with Kerr.
“Sometimes people don’t know you if you don’t speak up,” Kuminga said. “Sometimes people don’t know what’s on your mind if they don’t really see it. I don’t know what’s in my coach’s mind if I don’t ask them questions and the questions are communication. It’s the same way you guys here ask me questions about everything or basketball or my life. I wouldn’t know you all if I didn’t talk to you. I think that’s the biggest thing. That’s a lot I had to do and learn and be myself and find a way to communicate with my teammates, my coaches.
Wiggins is 29 years old but is coming off the worst offensive season of his career. The former 23-point-per-game player averaged 13.2 points this season, 3 points less than his previous career low. In five seasons, he has made 3-point percentage (45.3 percent) and 3-point percentage (35.8 percent) in four seasons.
“My season wasn’t great,” Wiggins said. “It’s not great. I feel like I started picking up the second half of the season. But the first half wasn’t great. As a team, I feel like the second half of the season was good. We were figuring things out. But it’s sad to end this way.”
Wiggins has three years and $84.5 million left on his contract. He is a trade candidate this summer. The Warriors explored deals involving Wiggins before the deadline in February.
“I look forward to what I can take care of,” Wiggins said. “Something that’s out of my control, he doesn’t worry about it. All I can do is work hard, train hard and do my best.
The Warriors plan to play the rookie in the NBA Summer League, believing his high-use role on the ball will get him better prepared for next season.
“Naturally my role will increase,” Podziemski said. “I think I’m just trying to take the burden off Steph and Draymond’s shoulders by being a little bit more and more agile with the ball. How the rest of us can just touch things. A lot of times when we get into games that really matter or when we really want to win, we’re late to Steph.
Brandin Podzimski on his expectations for next season: “Naturally my role will increase. I think the ball will be in my hands a little more. Being more efficient, trying to take the burden off the shoulders of Steph and Draymond.
He plans to play in the winter league pic.twitter.com/S6fPfovpbl
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 17, 2024
Trace Jackson-Davis
Jackson-Davis also said he will compete in at least part of the summer league and mentioned several areas he wants to improve.
“When we actually talked, coach (Domantas) mentioned Sabides’ name (as a comparison),” Jackson-Davis said. “I think the power he plays comes from dribble handballs, things of that nature. He might try a 3 in game one, but that’s not necessarily who he is as a player. It’s definitely something I want to expand on. The free throws, going through practice and knocking them down, I have to translate that. I think free throws and then being able to catch and hit the 3.
Jackson-Davis mentioned the need to expand the defensive end of the floor and his versatility.
Trace Jackson-Davis mentioned his defensive versatility as something he wants to expand this offseason: “Being able to switch. Guardians”
He described himself as the starting center for the Warriors next season. He said he wants to play in the winter league. pic.twitter.com/EvU0XYP6mD
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 17, 2024
Gary Payton II
Payton has appeared in just 44 of 82 games this season, battling various ailments that sidelined him at key times, including missing Tuesday night’s elimination game against the Kings with his second calf strain this season.
“It was frustrating to sit there and watch, I couldn’t do anything,” Payton said. But it just gave me motivation, it just pushed me to take better care of my body this summer and come back and be ready for 82 next summer.
Payton has one season left on his deal, a $9.1 million player option that he can exercise or a long-term deal, possibly at a lower annual rate.
“I’d love to come back and give it back,” Payton said. “Better, redo all my deals and stay here a little longer. We will understand.
Looney is owed $8 million next season, but only $3 million of that is guaranteed, leaving him vulnerable to salary-cutting moves that would send him to free agency and end his nine-year tenure with the Warriors.
“I’m not always in control of my future here,” Looney said. “Like, I want to come back, be part of this team, be part of this organization. This is all I know. But it’s the NBA. If you don’t make the playoffs, you lose, things happen a lot. So even though I don’t know what will happen, I have to prepare for the next step.
(Top photo: Tyler Ross/NBA via Getty Images)