It’s not surprising Warriors’ Thompson a free-agent prize
Should Warriors fans be worried this weekend, when Klay Thompson heads to Charlotte for the NBA All-Star Game?
Because you can bet the wooing, the recruiting, the stealth tampering will be happening for real.
Oh, you think it was just a coincidence that LeBron James picked mostly free agents for his All-Star team, like he claimed? That he went after Kevin Durant and Thompson, in addition to Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving — all players he’d love to bring to the Lakers for his personal team makeover?
Sure, and if you believe that was mere coincidence, you probably also believe Luke Walton’s job is perfectly safe.
Thompson’s looming free agency has taken a back seat in all the drama and angst and media-scolding of the Durant free agency. Thompson, in his uniquely Klay way, is just tripping along through the journey, keeping total perspective, a half-smile on his face and a four-legged friend near his side.
He told ESPN’s crew, before Wednesday’s game and fully unsolicited, that he wants to finish his career as a Warrior, according to broadcaster Dave Pasch.
Still, expect James to recruit him hard this weekend, turning on the full persuasive power of LeBron. To slip in messages about the Lakers legacy that runs in Thompson’s blood. To muse about returning his father’s team back to championship status. To remind Thompson about the joys of hanging on the beach in Southern California.
Sure, Durant is the big prize. But plenty of Lakers fans eye Thompson as the better choice. The perfect fit with James, with his defense, his quick release, his ability to move around the court and create space. He’s arguably the best two-way guard in the league, the best shooting guard in the league and one of the easiest teammates in the world.
No drama. No angst. No scolding.
There’s a reason that Lakers fans loudly chanted “We want Thompson” at Oracle during the Lakers’ most recent trip to the Bay Area. They really, really do.
“They should want him,” Steve Kerr said. “I’d chant the same thing.”
Who wouldn’t want Thompson? He’s just that perfect dude. The guy whose dislocated finger bends sideways yet he tapes it up, comes back, scores 22 points and is available the next night, too.
“His availability every single night is one of his best attributes as an NBA player,” Kerr said after Tuesday’s Utah game, when images of Thompson’s twisted finger caused queasiness. “Even on nights where he gets banged up, he seems to shake it off and come right back.”
Thompson is extremely chill almost all the time, which is why it was unusual to see him getting into it with Zach Collins on Wednesday night in Portland. After Collins flopped on a Thompson elbow to draw the offensive foul, he started dropping F-bombs at Thompson. Thompson went right back at him, to the delight of his teammates, who rarely see No. 11 get agitated.
“I enjoyed that,” Draymond Green said. “He was talking bad to that dude. That was good to see.”
Thompson can be fiery when needed, relaxed most of the rest of the time. He’s the guy who talks to his hand when he bursts out of his shooting slump, who dances unselfconsciously on a trip to China, who seems to operate in a rare ego-less corner of the NBA.
While Durant flipped out and yelled at the media to grow up when they speculated about his pending free agency, Thompson shrugs off the same topic.
“I don't think it really affects us,” he said. “We're all grown men. At the end of the day, whatever we decide to do, we're all brothers and we're not going to hold any grudges because it's business."
So, should Warriors fans be worried?
No. And not just because Thompson regularly professes his love for the Warriors, like he did to the ESPN crew Wednesday. He seems content living and playing where he is and seems to fully appreciate the entire experience, from the day he was drafted through the metamorphosis into this championship era.
The other reason Warriors fans shouldn’t be too worried: There’s no chance in the world the Warriors open Chase Center without Thompson. He is, after Stephen Curry, the second most beloved Warrior. The stealth superstar. He will almost surely receive his max contract deal and be there when the doors to the new place open.
And someday there may be a statue of Klay and Rocco outside.
But, for the moment, the recruiting will be hot and heavy. Because who wouldn’t want the NBA’s coolest customer?