Klay Thompson’s negotiations with Warriors have hit big snag

Jun 5, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) warms up before game two of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors are reportedly locked in a standoff with no end in sight as free agency looms.

The Warriors do not have an offer on the table for Thompson and the two sides have not had any constructive negotiations on a new contract, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Talks between the two sides are characterized as “frozen” and the chance of Thompson leaving via free agency is increasingly likely.

Ultimately, the Warriors are reluctant to commit significant resources to Thompson after his down season. Part of the thinking may be that Thompson might find a lukewarm market and ultimately return to the Warriors at a price the team is comfortable with. However, sources told Slater that there is a risk that even in that scenario, Thompson will leave no matter what, citing “built-up friction” of recent seasons and a desire for a fresh start.

Thompson, at the very least, seems to have accepted that he may have played his final game with the Warriors. If reports about him eyeing one specific contract as a potential framework are true, it is tough to believe Golden State would meet his asking price.

Thompson showed worrying regression last season. He averaged 17.9 points per game, his worst mark in over a decade, and shot 43.2 percent from three-point range, down from his peak years. That is a risky player to commit to for several years.