Inside The Warriors

Steve Kerr's Honest Klay Thompson Statement Amid Free Agency Drama

The Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson have a lot to figure out

Joey Linn

Oct 21, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and guard Klay Thompson (11) watch during the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and guard Klay Thompson (11) watch during the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports / John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Each new report on Klay Thompson and his free agency situation seems to suggest the Golden State Warriors icon may depart from the only NBA franchise he has known. With seemingly a sizable gap between what Thompson desires in free agency and what the Warriors are currently offering, financial logistics could be the biggest factor stopping an agreement from taking place.

While a new deal between Thompson and the Warriors would have to make sense for both sides, Golden State has publicly maintained their desire to retain the four-time champion. This was again echoed by head coach Steve Kerr during a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show.

"Klay has been such an integral part of everything around here," Kerr said. "Obviously a multi-time champion, but even more than that, someone who has such a great connection with the Bay Area, with the franchise, with his teammates. So we want Klay back desperately. I want him back desperately. And we will have our conversations, and he's got to make whatever decision he makes, but we really want him back."

While Thompson may not feel this way given the state of negotiations, many of the most importat figures withing the Warriors organization have expressed this exact sentiment. This includes Thompson's longtime backcourt partner Steph Curry, who also wants the veteran guard to return.

Related Articles

Draymond Green Fires Back at NBA Legend's Outlandish Warriors Statement

Major Update on Golden State Warriors' Offseason Plans Revealed

Warriors Star Gets Honest About Being Teammates With Draymond Green

Published
Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

Home/News