Klay Thompson Rumors: Warriors Risk Losing Star If They Don't Offer Max Contract

Paul KasabianSenior ContributorJune 14, 2019

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson is entering free agency this offseason looking for a massive payday.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, he'll stay in Golden State if he gets a five-year max deal, but there's a chance he could head elsewhere if not.

"I think with Klay Thompson, he was sort of waiting to know whether he would get that full five-year, $190 million-plus max deal," Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter.

"Once he had that offer, gets that offer from Golden State, he's made it clear he wants to stay. If he gets something south of that, they run the risk of him going to take meetings in June 30-July free agency."

Thompson, who averaged 21.0 points per game last season, suffered a torn ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Per Wojnarowski's comments on Get Up, that won't deter teams from offering long-term max deals:

Get Up @GetUpESPN
"Even if they resign Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to long term contracts, this is a roster that will be fighting to just make the Western Conference playoffs." —@wojespn https://t.co/uZzmJDFEl2

Anthony Slater of The Athletic provided an early estimate as to when Thompson could return:

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Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Eight-ish months for an ACL tear, on the very low end recovery wise, is mid-February. Gotta figure Klay Thompson is out until at least the All-Star break, if not all next season.

Signing Thompson to a five-year max contract is an easy move for Golden State to make. He's been part of a core that has won five Western Conference titles and three NBA championships in five seasons. Plus, he's not even 30 years old yet, so he has plenty of basketball left in him once he returns to the court.

Thompson has made 45.9 percent of his field goals and 41.9 percent of his three-pointers during his career. He has never shot worse than 40.1 percent from beyond the arc during any individual season.

The 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft has also been an All-Star selection five times. He's a two-time All-NBA team member and was named to his first NBA All-Defensive team this season.