The Warriors are poised to enter the 2023-24 season with their legendary shooting guard in a lame duck contract year.
Per Shams Charania, there remains a “significant gap” in contract extension negotiations between Klay Thompson and the Warriors. Thompson, 33, will begin the final season of his five-year, $190 million contract when Golden State opens its season Tuesday night against the Suns in the Chase Center.
“The Warriors and Klay Thompson have been discussing an extension, but from what I’ve been told, there’s a significant gap in both years and money,” Charania said on Fanduel TV. “The negotiations right now, from what I’ve been told, are at a dead point.”
The news is consistent with prior reports that described progress between Thompson and Golden State as minimal.
Thompson’s contract status will be a big test for general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., who took over for Bob Myers this June. On ESPN recently, Myers revealed that difficult looming decisions such as Thompson’s was a reason he decided to leave his post.
Under Dunleavy, the Warriors made an offseason splash by acquiring Chris Paul from the Wizards for a package headlined by young guard Jordan Poole.
Adding a market-value deal for Thompson would pile on more money onto GSW’s luxury tax bill. For this season, they’re already in the new “second apron” with a roster cap hold of roughly $207 million.
A long-term extension would keep Thompson in Golden State through his 30s. Last year, in his first full season after suffering back-to-back substantial lower body injuries, Thompson averaged 21.9 points per game while shooting 41.2% from 3. He racked up 27 points per game in January — the highest scoring month of his career.
In Thompson’s 13-year career, he has won four championships and been named to five All-Star teams.
In a conversation this month with Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the shooting guard expressed serious interest in remaining with the only franchise he has played for and downplayed the idea that his contract situation would affect his play.
“I know if I just do my job and I’m in shape and I compete at my highest level, I’m going to make money in this league for a long time,” Thompson told The Athletic. “So I don’t worry about it. I’m blessed beyond measure. Obviously you want to make the most in the window you have as an athlete. But I’m not going to let that get in the way of winning a championship. When you win, everything else will be taken care of.”