In the 2024 offseason, there are many veteran stars who are at the end of their careers, and they are no longer the core of the team and the key to success. After they became free agents, the team was not willing to give them a big contract, which also led to some disputes between the two sides.
Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors is the best example. Klay Thompson is looking for a way to leave the Golden State Warriors and get the biggest long-term contract possible. Klay Thompson has reportedly had some farewell ceremonies with management.
Klay Thompson has been wanting to complete an early contract extension with the Golden State Warriors in the past two seasons, but the contract extension given by the Golden State Warriors is very insulting. According to reports, the Golden State Warriors initially gave $100 million over four years and $58 million over two years.
However, according to the latest reports, the Golden State Warriors are only willing to offer Klay Thompson a two-year, $48 million contract, and they are not even willing to give Klay Thompson a contract with an annual salary of more than $30 million. This is also the reason why Klay Thompson has been in the last two seasons and has had some subtle conflicts with the team.
Klay Thompson is already planning to leave the Golden State Warriors, and he's not short of suitors. The likes of the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers are all potential next home for Klay Thompson. According to Los Angeles media reports, Klay Thompson is considering signing with either the Clippers or the Lakers.
"There is rumor circulating within the league that Thompson may be willing to accept the price to join the Lakers or the Clippers. That's a big drop from the two-year, roughly $50 million offer that Thompson rejected early last season. ”
Klay Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game and 9.0 shots per game in 2023-24 while shooting 38.7% from three-point range. He was the culprit of the Golden State Warriors' playoff loss, and he was one of the big factors in the team's missed playoff last season.
However, even so, the Golden State Warriors should not treat their four-time champion in this way. Now, Klay Thompson may join the Los Angeles Lakers, who once wanted to give him a $200 million contract at his prime, because of family ties.
In fact, Klay Thompson is no stranger to Los Angeles, and his father, Mikal Thompson, is a former NBA star who played for the Lakers from 1987 to 1991. His father won a championship with the Lakers, and if he joins the Lakers, he will have a chance to bring a championship to the Lakers. And, his father is currently working as a radio announcer with the Lakers.
LeBron James was recently revealed to be willing to take a $16 million pay cut, but the Lakers must strengthen the roster so that the team has the strength to challenge for championships in the next two seasons. Perhaps, LeBron James's salary cut is to help the Lakers get Klay Thompson.