Klay Thompson's Father: Warriors SG Will Return from Injury 'Late' Next Season

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson is "enthusiastic" about returning from his torn ACL late in the 2019-20 season, according to his father, Mychal. 

"He's walking normally, and he's very optimistic and enthusiastic about getting back late next season," Mychal Thompson said on The Warriors Insider Podcast.

He continued:

"... Once he gets back up to the bay and he is around the team and he's working out, he probably won't be on the court doing full-court drills until late December or January. So, he's got quite a ways to go. But the main thing is just stay dedicated and diligent in your rehab and just continue to work hard and keep that motivation to get back and get back on the court with his teammates."

Klay Thompson suffered a torn left ACL in Game 6 of Golden State's 2019 NBA Finals loss to the Toronto Raptors. He is expected to miss most of next season, if not the entire campaign if the Warriors play things conservatively.

Golden State signed Thompson to a five-year, $190 million max contract at the beginning of free agency despite the injury. It also acquired D'Angelo Russell as part of a sign-and-trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Brooklyn Nets. Russell will likely play the Thompson role in the offense until he returns.

Thompson told Cari Champion of ESPN earlier this month that his recovery will be based on a long-term goal rather than just next season. 

"I've heard varying opinions about, especially medically, I don't want to rush it 'cause I want to play until I'm 38, 39, 40 years old," Thompson said. "That's my plan, especially because the way I can shoot the ball. I would love to see the floor this season. I don't know when that is."

Thompson averaged 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while knocking down 40.2 percent of his shots from long distance last season. With Thompson, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Russell all locked into long-term contracts, odds are the Warriors will want to play things as conservatively as possible.

Returning next season could put Thompson at risk from a long-term perspective, so it will all be dependent on how his rehabilitation goes from here.