Thompson thinks he’s far from done
The Warriors missed the playoffs for the third time in five years. While the futures of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are settled because they recently signed extensions, sharpshooter Klay Thompson, who endured an upand-down season, is an unrestricted free agent.
Warriors management said they want Thompson to return, but he could explore the market and perhaps seek a new team that would offer a more prominent role. Thompson saw his minutes reduced slightly with the emergence of rookie Brandin Podziemski and also spent some time coming off the bench.
The primary difference between Thompson now and before he missed two years with injuries is his 2-point percentage. He’s no longer an efficient midrange shooter, but he did average nearly 18 points in his age-33 season and will draw considerable attention as a free agent.
“Obviously, you want to keep winning,” Thompson said. “When you’ve been a part of winning seasons, you don’t really want to go away from that. So, I would like to win again. One for the thumb would be nice. I still think it’s in reach. It’s just going to take a huge effort. But other than that, just got to think about what will really make you happy in the last few years of your career.”
Thompson, who turned 34 in February, realizes he is not the player he was before tearing an ACL and rupturing an Achilles’ in consecutive summers. Rarely do players come back from major injuries, especially after a two-year absence. Thompson has proved to be durable in his return.
“It’s not my career averages, but it’s still pretty dang good,” he said. “Well, 2019, could you imagine if they didn’t pay me after I got hurt, that would have been really bad. Like, went to five straight Finals, you blew your knee out, yeah, sorry. So, no, that was very nice of them. I try every year to give my best.
“And the ownership group has been great. I have nothing but positive things to say about them. They treat us with great respect and do all the little things for us to do our jobs at the highest level. I mean, it’s up to them, but at the end of the day whatever happens, it’s all gravy, it’s been such a special run.”
Thompson shot at least 40 percent from the 3-point line in his first eight seasons. But that has dropped to less than 40 percent in two of three seasons since his return. Despite being less efficient than in his prime, Thompson is still one of the game’s premier shooters. Teams such as the Magic and Rockets have the cap space to add Thompson.
The Warriors are going to have to consider their long-term salary structure and whether retaining Thompson can help their final championship push with Curry and Green. Also, rising forward Jonathan Kuminga is eligible for a contract extension and has to be included in the long-term future.
Thompson said his expectations are not too high. He maintains he is still capable of another career season.
“When I came back I was the second-leading scorer on a championship team,” he said. “And when you’ve experienced that you’re like, I’m back. And then, even that next year, led the league, 41 percent from three, on [301] makes. That’s very hard to do. So, the moments were there, but maybe my burst wasn’t what it was. And that happens. But I still feel like I can do it at a very high level, and I did have times where I did. Obviously, the way it ended this year wasn’t what it was the last couple years, but I’m not going to let one sour night or year ruin a decadeplus of great work and success.”
Thompson acknowledged he experienced self-doubt. Coach Steve Kerr briefly brought him off the bench, and also benched him in the fourth quarter when he was unproductive. The Warriors and Thompson will have to come to an agreement to continue this marriage. It would be odd to see one of the game’s all-time great shooters in a different uniform.
“You sulk, you pout when you’re not shooting up to your expected splits,” Thompson said. “I think I did better with that this year, just trying to exude great body language at all times and think deeper than just stats, think about your love for the game and why you do play this game. At times I have been a front-runner in the past. When things don’t go my way I might point the finger rather than just taking ownership for your situation.
“So that’s what I’ve learned and I try to pass down to younger athletes, it’s because when you do great things over and over and you keep that high level of confidence and attitude in a great space, eventually it will work out for you and you’ll have no regrets when it’s all said and done.”
Layups
The NBA Draft is approaching and the Celtics have the 30th and final pick of the first round after finishing with the best record during the regular season. This draft is considered one of the weaker in recent years for top-tier talent, but the Celtics may be able to nab a quality player, a seasoned college prospect who could contribute immediately. Because the Celtics are above the second apron, they are going to have to find creative ways to fill their roster with inexpensive players. While firstround rookie contracts are guaranteed, the salary of the 30th pick will start at about $2 million. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens has traded the team’s first-round picks in recent years, but because of the salary constraints he may be inclined to invest in the 30th pick. The Celtics also have Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta returning next season, along with Drew Peterson on a two-way contract. They will have to make a decision on guard JD Davison, who just finished the second year of a two-way contract and would have to be signed to a standard contract . . . The Kings will have some competition for swingman Malik Monk, who finished second to Naz Reid for Sixth Man of the Year in a close race. Monk is an unrestricted free agent and his importance to the Kings was punctuated when he went down with a knee injury and missed the last nine games of the regular season. The Kings were 4-5 in those games and then lost to the Pelicans in the Play-In Tournament to end their season. Monk made $9 million this season, the final of a two-year, $18 million deal, but he should get a healthy raise because of his production and durability. Teams such as the Magic, Pistons, and Spurs have enough cap space to sign Monk to a lucrative deal. The Kings’ core players are all signed beyond next season, meaning their flexibility is limited, and bringing Monk back because they own his Bird rights is a priority . . . Celtics forward Jayson Tatum received one first-place vote for Clutch Player of the Year award. Curry won the award, with the Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan finishing second in the voting.