Warriors, Thompson not near contract extension ahead of season opener: report

Klay Thompson led the NBA in made 3-pointers last season but struggled in playoffs vs. Lakers

Klay Thompson and the Warriors are reportedly not close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension as the former All-NBA guard prepares to begin his 13th season with the Warriors on Tuesday night.

According to The Athletic, Thompson’s camp and the front office are at a “dead end” in negotiations, with issues relating to both the length of the contract and the amount of money involved.

There is no deadline for Thompson, 33, and the Warriors to reach an agreement, but with the season opener as a deadline for many rookie contract extensions, it is a time when other agreements come together as well.

The Warriors are reportedly aiming to stay under the second level of the luxury tax (estimated to be around $190 million), which may be difficult given that nearly $115 million has already been committed to the Warriors’ other starting five.

Thompson agreed to a five-year, $190 million deal in 2019 after tearing his ACL in the NBA Finals. He missed the 2019-20 season before tearing his Achilles before the 2020-21 season, returning in January 2022. After assisting the Warriors to their fourth title in a decade, he did not participate in pick-up basketball in the offseason due to injury concerns, and he missed the preseason last year.

He appeared in all five preseason games, averaging 20.4 minutes per game.

“I loved it,” he said of his preseason on Sunday. “I was doing some basketball.” I haven’t played preseason basketball in I don’t know how long, 2019? So I enjoyed it.”

Thompson did not speak with the media about his contract situation on Sunday, but general manager Mike Dunleavy said on 95.7 The Game on Monday that the Warriors want Thompson back and expect him to have another strong season.

“Our intended plan all along is to make sure Klay’s here as a Warrior forever,” Dunleavy was quoted as saying. “We really want that to happen, and you gotta work through it.”

The Warriors are no strangers to this situation: they faced a similar situation with Draymond Green just last year. The sides never extended his contract, but Green agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract shortly after his unrestricted free agency opened on June 30.

Last season, Thompson had one of his best statistical seasons, leading the NBA with 301 made 3-pointers and shooting 41.2% from distance. However, he struggled in the Western Conference semifinals against the Lakers, making just 14 of 56 shots (25%) over the final four games.

On media day on Oct. 3, Thompson said he thought it was possible he’d reach an agreement with the Warriors before the season started, but he was content going into the season without anything signed.

“Whatever the future holds, I’ve accomplished so much in this uniform.” “I have a lot more memories to make,” he said. “Whatever happens, life is wonderful.” I have nothing to complain about. I’ve had a fantastic run here.”

Thompson said Sunday that the Warriors’ challenge in a Western Conference that includes the Lakers, the champion Nuggets, and the star-studded Suns is nothing new to him.

“I’ve been deep my entire career. “From top to bottom, I see a lot of great teams,” he said. “There probably will not be any nights off going forward, so it’s going to be a fun challenge to accept.”