Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy candidly addressed the team’s ongoing negotiations with Klay Thompson, suggesting the franchise aims to retain him despite recent rumors. “We want him back,” Dunleavy stated in a Monday press conference. “We’ve always said that. We hope he’ll return, but it’s important to keep the specifics of discussions private.”
Thompson, 34, will become an unrestricted free agent on June 30 and is expected to “test free agency before a decision is made,” according to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. The Athletic’s Anthony Slater also reported that talks between Thompson and the Warriors were “frozen,” making his departure seem more probable than ever.
Last season, Thompson, a two-way All-Star, averaged 17.9 points per game, his lowest since the 2012-13 season, though he maintained a solid 38.7% from three-point range. With the Warriors looking to maximize Steph Curry’s remaining years, it appears increasingly likely that Thompson may leave, despite Dunleavy’s hopeful remarks.
Dunleavy added, “Being reasonable and rational is my approach, but it’s hard to completely strip the emotion away when it comes to Klay Thompson, who has meant so much to this franchise. It’s about finding what works best for both the franchise and the player, considering his role. That’s what we’re focusing on.”
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