Thompson and Warriors contract extension talks are at an impasse, and the cold free agency market could hasten his stay

Basketball in L.A

2024-06-24 18:16Posted in Jilin Sports Creator

原文编译自：The Athletic

作者：Anthony Slater

原标题：Negotiations between Klay Thompson, Warriors frozen as free agency looms: Sources

Klay Thompson isn't currently considering a contract from the Golden State Warriors that falls short of his expectations. Although the negotiation window is open, there are no one-, two- or three-year contracts on the table. Because, according to coalition sources, nothing is currently on the table. There were no productive discussions between the Warriors and Thompson or his representatives. This suggests that the parties may have disagreements or have not yet found common ground in the renewal negotiations. As a key player for the Warriors, Thompson's contract extension will have a significant impact on the future construction of the team's roster and salary structure.

Negotiations between the two sides have basically reached an impasse. With less than 10 days to go until a free agent signing, it's more likely than ever that Thompson will leave the only team he's ever played for.

According to league sources, the Warriors have been vocal that they want to bring back Thompson at the right price and in the right role, but they see Thompson's situation as something that needs to be addressed after exploring various other roster building avenues. They have been actively looking for ways to upgrade their roster on a larger scale, using Chris Paul's $30 million unguaranteed contract as a flexible tool. According to coalition sources, they have discussed with Paul the possibility of delaying the contract guarantee date from June 28 to July if necessary, which would only keep Thompson waiting longer.

If the Warriors can get a big-name, high-paid player, perhaps getting rid of the luxury tax altogether, given their plans to avoid the second luxury tax line, it will greatly affect the offer they can make to Thompson. For a legend like Thompson, this well-thought-out business strategy is a nod to be made, as Thompson won four championships in his 13 seasons with the Warriors, but is relegated far back on the team's current offseason priority list.

Part of the Warriors' consideration seems to be that Thompson might find the free agent market lukewarm towards him and eventually opt to return for a low contract price. The Warriors' controlling man, Joe Lacob, second general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., and vice president Kirk Lacob are pulling the negotiating levers. Early signs suggest that their interpretation of the market will prove right. Sources say veteran free agents mostly have shorter contracts, which is part of the reason for Malik Monk's return to the Sacramento Kings, where he has a four-year contract of just $78 million.

According to league sources, there hasn't been any progress between Thompson and the Orlando Magic, although both sides initially had some interest. Thompson is also expected to be interested in other teams with cap salary cap space, and there will also be some longer-term offers on the table in a market that is always moving in an unpredictable direction. Thompson's best offer could end up being less and shorter than many predicted or expected, leading some to speculate that it would push Thompson to reunite with the Warriors at a pace that would be satisfactory to both parties.

But this is not necessarily the case. Even if the Warriors end up making a competitive offer to Thompson that matches or exceeds Thompson's salary and years, it's increasingly likely that Thompson will decide to leave and look for a fresh start in a different environment, moving away from some of the friction that has accumulated over previous seasons and the team, according to league sources.

Prior to last season, the Warriors and Thompson discussed the idea of a contract extension. TA Shams Charania reported that the talks between the two sides are in the range of $48 million over two years. But the two sides never reached an agreement.

Looney's situation: Kevon Looney has been with the team for nearly nine years since he was drafted by the Warriors in 2015. It looks like his tenure will continue until next week. Of Looney's $8 million contract for next season, only $3 million is currently guaranteed. The remaining $5 million will be secured next Monday, bringing up the possibility that he could be released.

But that's not the Warriors' current plan, according to league sources. They are expected to secure the remaining $8 million of Looney's contract and keep him in their current plans, though they could still end up using his salary contract to help complete the offseason trade.

Looney remains valuable as a leader in the dressing room, and he remains one of Steve Cole's favourite players, the voice he relies on in tense crunch moments, as well as the centre-forward he trusts on the pitch. Looney was squeezed out of the rotation mid-season by rookie Tracy Jackson Davis and could be ahead of Jackson Davis next season, but Looney returned to the rotation in April and played in the play-offs against the Sacramento Kings to defend Domantas Sabonis in crunch time.

If the Warriors do let Looney go and replace him with a veteran center with a base salary, they won't save much in salary or taxes anyway. There is also no talk of letting Looney go and re-signing him, as several competitors are expected to be interested in him on the free market and will explore those options. Currently, Looney is still in the Warriors' plans, as he has been with the Warriors for nearly a decade.

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