Barbosa hopes Klay prioritizes happiness in free-agent decision

Barbosa hopes Klay prioritizes happiness in free-agent decision originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

OAKLAND – Klay Thompson has made countless friends during his NBA career and one of them, Leandro Barbosa, has one wish for the longtime Warriors star as he approaches unrestricted free agency.

“He needs to be happy,” Barbosa told NBC Sports Bay Area over the weekend. “That’s the most important thing.”

The Barbosa-Thompson friendship evolved during the two years they were teammates in Golden State, beginning in 2014. They’ve spent personal time together, whether working out in the offseason or visiting theme park visits on the road. Barbosa has been on Thompson’s boat and to his home.

Moreover, Klay refers to Barbosa, a native of Brazil, as “hermano,” Spanish for brother.

That would be, in this instance, “big brother.” Barbosa, 41, now an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings, is almost eight years older than Thompson. Which might be why he is willing to offer counsel for the most important decision of his friend’s professional life.

“He’s going to have to be really patient,” Barbosa said. “I hope he comes back to the Warriors. I don’t know what’s the situation, but it’s going to be tough. I know the money (in NBA contracts) is going up, and he’s been thinking about the money.

“But I think he needs to be happy. I think that’s the most important thing.”

Of Golden State’s veteran core – Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Thompson – Klay is by far the least predictable. The freest spirit. As a bachelor, he can follow his heart. Unlike Curry and Thompson, there are no wife and children to consider.

And, yes, Barbosa is aware of the chatter flares going up last week when it was reported that Thompson had unfollowed the Warriors on social media. It’s a common tactic by professional athletes seeking a contract, and it alarmed no one within Golden State’s orbit.

Curry and Thompson have established themselves as the best offensive backcourt in NBA history and are on the short list of those considered the best overall backcourts of all time.

“At the end of the day, they’re…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/barbosa-hopes-klay-prioritizes-happiness-200134226.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-06-17 20:01:34

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