is Klay done?

[Crazy-Canuck]

I'll wish klay the best wherever he ends up. If I could trust Kerr, I'd even be fine if he stayed.

[Onus]

I'm not buying for one minute that Klay's side leaked this pathetic excuse for a "story." Given that he doesn't have a job yet, he has nothing to gain. This is just like what happened with Jordan Poole...The minute the player is out the door, Dubs management starts using back door channels to rain crap all over the outgoing player. Apparently, it doesn't matter how long the player has been with the team or how much he has contributed to the team's success. This is distasteful. It's also likely to be noted by free agents.

The story is literally written from Klays perspective of feeling neglected and disrespected. Even though we offered 2/48 last year and he was insulted by that offer. He’s not going to come close to that number. And yet we’re supposed to feel sorry for Klay? Klay is going the way of Westbrook until he got humbled and accepted where he was at in his career. Until that happens for Klay it’s hard to feel sorry for him since this is mostly his egos doing.

[cpower]

Ringer NBA podcast speculates that the Warriors don't think there will be much of a FA market for Klay.

So they think they can lowball him if he can't get good offers.

But Klay might take a "spite" low-ball contract from another WC team like the Lakers or Suns to get back at the Warriors.

who would pay big money for someone who could not close games in regular season? i mean unless you have terrible SG (bucks), you would never waste your money on him.

4th in 3PM in a down year. What a terrible SG!!

He only made 29% of his threes in the 4th. He was not able to score was the main reason we were not able to close games. Have you been watching at all?

[sonnyhill]

I'm not buying for one minute that Klay's side leaked this pathetic excuse for a "story." Given that he doesn't have a job yet, he has nothing to gain. This is just like what happened with Jordan Poole...The minute the player is out the door, Dubs management starts using back door channels to rain crap all over the outgoing player. Apparently, it doesn't matter how long the player has been with the team or how much he has contributed to the team's success. This is distasteful. It's also likely to be noted by free agents.

The story is literally written from Klays perspective of feeling neglected and disrespected. Even though we offered 2/48 last year and he was insulted by that offer. He’s not going to come close to that number. And yet we’re supposed to feel sorry for Klay? Klay is going the way of Westbrook until he got humbled and accepted where he was at in his career. Until that happens for Klay it’s hard to feel sorry for him since this is mostly his egos doing.

We should not feel bad for Thompson and his pending exit. With what LeBron looking to re-sign with the Lakers at a lower-than-max number, the Lakers can be the logical landing place for Thompson. He fits in nicely with that squad and should be competing for another championship ring over the course of the next three seasons.

A bigger concern is how the Warriors got to this place and how the franchise has meandered itself into this state of malaise. Everything starts-and-stops with Steve Kerr, a coach who has consistently ignored meritocracy and embraced an antiquated culture of catering to the needs of a dwindling (in size)-and-aging core of "vertically-challenged" veterans. In many ways, Thompson became the "Frankenstein 'created-by-Kerr,'" as seen with how Kerr put Thompson back into the starting lineup immediately after coming back from the two leg injuries. Kerr's mishandling of Thompson's return, combined with Thompson being left off the NBA Top 75 team (directly contradicted Thompson's senses of entitlement), and Kerr having created a culture devoid of meritocricy (we do not see Ty Jerome, Anthony Lamb, and Cory Joseph being utilized by other NBA franchises) are the foundational reasons for how the Thompson situation has gotten to where we are today.

While I was not a fan of MDJ as a player, it cannot be dismissed how he, MDJ, is putting together a roster which appears to be one to force Kerr to course-correct. Whiffing on a Paul George trade and possibly losing Chris Paul for nothing will either expose Kerr as the sanctimonious fraud worthy of another MJ @ss whipping or be the catalyst that forces Kerr to creatively incorporate his younger players into his rotations.

Lastly, if this season starts out as a dumpster fire, the franchise should look to offload Curry asap, especially before he becomes a diminishing asset with no trade value.

[Jax_23]

Welp, ya'll got your wish. Klay's good as gone.

This last season (yes a down season for Klay but he adjusted well after being benched) and the current status quo was a PATHETIC display of loyalty by many Warrior "fans" -- towards a player who's been nothing buy loyal. Happened on the internet and IRL at games. I don't blame Klay for wanting to leave. The disrespect he received was bullsht. You stick by players like Klay Thompson - someone who's given his all to this team and a huge part of why they won 4 rings. Makes me think ya'll (the Klay Haters / Klayters) just became fans a couple years ago or something.

"But but but Klay's cooked! Good riddance!"

We'll see. I guarantee you Klay will be a valuable piece on some contender next season.


It takes the absence of something or someone to see their value. You are going to see the void he leaves and the intangibles that analytics nerds are unable to comprehend. Klay's contribution goes beyond stats. How many times did he fuel comebacks by refusing to quit -- and I'm talking even more than Steph for many of those games. Game 6 Klay etc. Many times he'd be the driving force behind comebacks and then Steph would start cooking to finish them off. His 3PT threat creates massive space - you cannot leave him open. His competitiveness and Championship DNA are infectious. His chemistry with Steph and Draymond cannot be duplicated. He also could've used a LEGITIMATE BIG MAN to balance the floor, hence the reason he forced a lot of shots this year. When Klay leaves the Warriors, many opponents will be cheering because they won't have to face the big 3 again and they knew the potential for that squad - even now.

Warriors should've signed him for a couple more years and at least negotiated with him - he at least deserved that. It's not "charity" if it's a team-friendly deal, it doesn't "make the team worse" if he's utilized properly. Instead they disrespected him. GJ Mike Dunleavy Jr. Didn't like you the first time.

Broke up the big 3. Just go full rebuild at this point. Trade Steph at his peak value lmao. Good Job Klayters, you got your wish. Did him dirty this year. You could've respected him but you chose to dog on him. You could acknowledge that he's older and advocate for a lesser and cheaper paid role without treating him like a third rate bench player i.e. "Klay's washed!!!" Both things could've been true. He's not 50, he's 34. Ray Allen played effectively til 38 and Klay can too in a similar role. He should've stayed with this franchise like the Spurs' big 3 (aside from Tony Parker at the very very end of his career).

Enjoy your REDUCED SPACE for Steph with Klay gone. Klay is a top 10 player for THREE POINT THREAT. People still have to RESPECT HIS SHOT even if it doesn't always go in. Good luck getting that same result for BP, Kuminga, Draymond etc LMAO.

I'll be rooting for Klay wherever he lands and he'll always be a Warrior.

[Jax_23]

Might be for the best. Will open up a ton of minutes for Moody/Podz

LOL Moody and BP are career role players at best. "They're young so they're better" argument. Newsflash: the ceiling potential doesn't magically skyrocket 'cause the player is young. They'll never reach Klay's level so might as well look for new SG.

[Jax_23]

Klay moving on is still the best thing for the team. So him throwing a hissy fit through the media is just par for the course for him, which is why he’s been so toxic for the team.

LMAO. This is the crap I'm talking about... "Klay is toxic" now smh

[bicycle]

Might be for the best. Will open up a ton of minutes for Moody/Podz

LOL Moody and BP are career role players at best. "They're young so they're better" argument. Newsflash: the ceiling potential doesn't magically skyrocket 'cause the player is young. They'll never reach Klay's level so might as well look for new SG.

Klay's former level, you mean.

[Old_Blue]

Klay moving on is still the best thing for the team. So him throwing a hissy fit through the media is just par for the course for him, which is why he’s been so toxic for the team.

Lastly, if this season starts out as a dumpster fire, the franchise should look to offload Curry asap, especially before he becomes a diminishing asset with no trade value.

Something I love about the German language is its inclusion of singular words to describe complex psychological conditions. There's almost certainly a German word to describe people who are at once hyperbolic and sheep.

For Klay, I wish nothing but the best. As for Curry, he is a Warrior for life.

[sonnyhill]

Klay moving on is still the best thing for the team. So him throwing a hissy fit through the media is just par for the course for him, which is why he’s been so toxic for the team.

Lastly, if this season starts out as a dumpster fire, the franchise should look to offload Curry asap, especially before he becomes a diminishing asset with no trade value.

Something I love about the German language is its inclusion of singular words to describe complex psychological conditions. There's almost certainly a German word to describe people who are at once hyperbolic and sheep.

For Klay, I wish nothing but the best. As for Curry, he is a Warrior for life.

I like your posts...well-crafted and thought-out.

Question: Why is Curry "a Warrior for life?"

If the team is stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, why not offload him to the highest bidder and do a Danny Ainge/Sam Presti rebuild, especially since the Warriors are not a Laker/Knicks type of franchise which can attract top notch free agents?

Perhaps, I am a bit of a contrarian with this position; however, I do believe that if Kerr would get creative, unlock Wiggins at the 2 guard and put Kuminga in positions of strength at small forward, that this team can do better than last season's squad.

If Thompson and Paul were to come off the books, the team would be able to use the MLE, yes/no?

[Old_Blue]

Question: Why is Curry "a Warrior for life?"

If the team is stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, why not offload him to the highest bidder and do a Danny Ainge/Sam Presti rebuild, especially since the Warriors are not a Laker/Knicks type of franchise which can attract top notch free agents?

Because the player has contributed more than any other to lifting the organization from a steaming pile of manure to the most valuable in the League. On the court, we know all know what Steph is - along with Michael and Magic, one of the triumvirate of greatest backcourt players to ever play the game. Aside from that though, Curry is a tremendously valuable asset - an enormous marketing engine who, all by himself, likely adds well in excess of a billion dollars to the team's valuation. That all stops the minute he is traded. Finally, there is the fact that this very special player - one who has never brought scandal nor given anything but his best for the team - has already publicly expressed a desire to be a Warrior for life. In this day and age, that kind of loyalty is rare. The organization would diminish itself to ignore Curry's goodwill in exchange for a handful of magic beans that may or may not pan out. This was the genesis for the "two timeline" approach (which is still very much in effect) - preparation for life after Curry's retirement, not preparation for his replacement. Steph can't be replaced. As my Dad used to say about my Mom - "When they made that one, they broke the mold."

[GunnerWRX]

Klay was all business when he declined $48/2 to stay, and reportedly some 2 yr offer was still on the table as recently as 2 weeks ago.

Now he is all sentimental wanting to leave for MLE (less money), probably for the same or lesser role (ie mostly 6th man, occasional starter).

Biggest reason for why we are here? Klay’s ego is much bigger than his game right now.

Smaller reason why we are here? Tim Kawasaki reported that Steph and Draymond both ok’ed the pursue of PG13, implying that they were ok with losing Klay to get PG13. What about doing it secretly and follow the Lebron “just a player thing”? There is a reason to pretend the stars don’t know about it. You let it leak out, and also Draymond? You are so insecure and need to make sure everyone is ok with letting Klay go and ended up have it leaked out?

[Jax_23]

I think he feels disrespected by the fanbase + his role on the team. He had a down season but it wasn't like he was shooting 20%.

Read on Twitter

[GunnerWRX]

I think he feels disrespected by the fanbase + his role on the team. He had a down season but it wasn't like he was shooting 20%.

Read on Twitter

Do the other teams’ fans want him for more than MLE? Nope. They love him if he comes cheaply. That’s as much respect they have for Klay. A fricking MLE player. Not more respect than Warriors fans.

Obviously, Klay himself and die hard Klay fans will make up all sorts of narratives on why Klay has reached this point and decides to leave.

Heck… had he extended for MLE type of $ during last season, he would have gotten standing ovation every game with his commitment by being a Warrior for life.

Instead, he is now looking at MLE money elsewhere, after declining $48/2M during the season and as recently as 2 weeks ago. For the same reduced role that Kerr tried to convince him to play for the Warriors.

[bay2hk]

Are people also forgetting his horrendous performance against the kings in the play ins. Or his disappearing act against the lakers during the playoffs the year before?

I would offer Klay $46-$48 million over 3 years and not help any western conference teams out. If Klay wants to take less money to stay in the west or go to Philly/orl for more money then it’ll be his decision. Warriors shouldn’t help western conference teams out just like clippers didn’t help us out

[xdrta+]

Instead, he is now looking at MLE money elsewhere, after declining $48/2M during the season and as recently as 2 weeks ago. For the same reduced role that Kerr tried to convince him to play for the Warriors.

According to who? Sounds like fake news.

[Old_Blue]

Welp, ya'll got your wish. Klay's good as gone.

This last season (yes a down season for Klay but he adjusted well after being benched) and the current status quo was a PATHETIC display of loyalty by many Warrior "fans" -- towards a player who's been nothing buy loyal. Happened on the internet and IRL at games. I don't blame Klay for wanting to leave. The disrespect he received was bull. You stick by players like Klay Thompson - someone who's given his all to this team and a huge part of why they won 4 rings. Makes me think ya'll (the Klay Haters / Klayters) just became fans a couple years ago or something.

We no longer have "fans" - Just unruly and unwashed heathens, armed with shanks and spoiling for chaos.

[GunnerWRX]

Instead, he is now looking at MLE money elsewhere, after declining $48/2 during the season and as recently as 2 weeks ago. For the same reduced role that Kerr tried to convince him to play for the Warriors.

According to who? Sounds like fake news.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10125554-klay-thompson-rumors-warriors-have-offered-2-year-contract-ahead-of-nba-free-agency.amp.html

“The Golden State Warriors have a two-year contract offer on the table for Klay Thompson ahead of his upcoming free agency, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.”

I know you will say no one knows if the recent offer is $48M/2 anymore, fake news etc etc or fake news there was no 2 years offer period. I get you.

[bay2hk]

Looks like Klay’s market is limited to NTMLE, and the question is if it’s 3 years vs 4 years. Orl is out with KCP signing and Philly signed Eric Gordon. Warriors can still bring Klay back for a little more than the NTMLE over 3 years if they like. Klay is running out of options

[Onus]

Naji marshall just signed with the mavs. Does that take them out of the running for Klay.