Klay-PG13 saga leaves Warriors in quite the predicament

Klay-PG13 saga leaves Warriors in quite the predicament originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors have spent the last 10 weeks going public with a teamwide recruiting pitch hoping to persuade Klay Thompson to re-sign, allowing them to retain the veteran core that has won four championships in the last 10 years.

All while internally exploring the possibility of making a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that would bring Paul George to Golden State.

Which has led to a likely Warriors-Thompson divorce – and the Warriors confronting a quandary.

The George option is a memory for Golden State. The 34-year-old wing opted out of the final year of his contract Saturday and moves into unrestricted NBA free agency. The Warriors lack the salary-cap space to compete. PG13 could re-sign with LA or move to a team like the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the cap space to meet his reported goal of a maximum contract.

Which brings the Warriors back to Thompson, who officially becomes an unrestricted free agent on Sunday and open for recruitment. The problem is that Thompson and his representatives at the Wasserman Group are not in the mood to hear what the Warriors have to say.

The Warriors realize Thompson is not inclined to return for another run alongside longtime teammates Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen. The history of NBA summers has provided many tales of twists and turns and changes of heart.

As of Saturday afternoon, though, all indications are that the open secret that was Golden State’s pursuit of George – with Thompson waiting on deck – have affected Klay more profoundly than those public pitches.

Thompson, 34, now has leverage with the Warriors. If he wants more money from them, or more years, there is a greater chance than there was a few days ago.

If Thompson simply wants to leave, as one league source on Saturday indicated to NBC Sports Bay Area is the case, that forces Golden State to shift into damage control. The Warriors DO NOT – uppercase intended – want to lose Thompson for nothing more than a lower payroll.

The Warriors, dreading the possibility of…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/klay-pg13-saga-leaves-warriors-232638017.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-06-29 23:26:38

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