The Golden State Warriors just lost to the Sacramento Kings in the 2024 play-in tournament and that marks the end of a painful season. The Dubs did not look like the team that won the NBA championship just two years ago. Even last year, the Warriors sent the Kings home after beating them in Game 7 of the Western Conference First Round. Steph Curry pulled up clutch with 50 points, the most any player has scored in a Game 7 in history.
Two of the main reasons for the Warriors‘ downfall would be their aging roster and their defense. The Dubs were one of the best teams on defense in every one of their finals runs, but that hasn’t been the case since 2022. Moreover, they only have one ball handler and distributor in Steph, and Jordan Poole’s departure hasn’t done them any favors as well. In addition to that, Klay Thompson has slowed down massively, and his dip in form has been quite evident.
The Splash Brother is one of the best sharpshooters in NBA history, along with The Chef, but he hasn’t been able to replicate his shooting success from the last few years. The guard averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 77 games, shooting 43.2 FG% and 38.7 from the three-point line. To put it into perspective, he shot 48.8 FG% when the Warriors won the title in 2018, and 44.0 3P%.
Dub Nation witnessed a massive dip in form when Klay Thompson tore his right Achilles tendon. It is no secret that that Achilles could truly decide a player’s career, and negatively impact it if the player is unfortunate. Even in 2022, Klay’s performances were subpar right after returning from injury. But the Warriors did not have to pay heavily due to the success of Poole and Andrew Wiggins.
Will Klay Thompson leave the Golden State Warriors?
The 4x NBA champion’s performances have certainly placed his future in doubt. In the game against the Kings, Thompson made 0 points, the worst game he could have had until now. The last time he played in an NBA game without scoring a single point was in February 2020.
Klay’s contract with the Warriors ends in 2024 and he will be a free agent soon. There has been interest from several NBA franchises to secure the former champ’s signature, including the Orlando Magic.
Steve Kerr, Curry, and the Warriors have made it clear that they want Klay to stay with the team. But a recent report has emerged mentioning that the player is willing to test the waters in free agency, which could be bad news for The Dubs.
“Klay Thompson is very open to seeing his marketplace in free agency.”
(Via @RunItBackFDTV ) pic.twitter.com/OL1Zz13LhQ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 17, 2024
Klay is still a great shooter who can terrorize defenders, and it is evident that he just had a bad season. There have been many players who have managed to turn it around after several bad years, and the Warriors surely believe that Klay still has some left in the tank.
Charles Barkley slaps Klay Thompson with brutal reality check
Charles Barkley recently mentioned, “Klay’s not going to get younger. He’s not gonna get better. He’s gonna make less money but he ain’t gonna get no better. Older people don’t get — sports ain’t for old people. They’re for young people. “That’s no disrespect. Klay is a Hall of Famer. He’s lowered his number [in free agency], but that doesn’t mean he’s gonna play better as he ages. It doesn’t work that way.”
“Klay wants a max deal. He’s not gon’ get a max deal.”
Chuck knows the Dubs have a tough decision to make. pic.twitter.com/gG9hamNRWI
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 17, 2024
The NBA legend claimed that Klay will not get what he is looking for; a max deal. The Golden State Warriors will have a huge decision to make this summer, as will Klay. He has been with the franchise since 2011, and it will surely be the end of a golden era if he leaves this year. With that said, it will take some time for Klay and the Warriors to announce their decisions, and there will surely be some interest from some of the other teams as well.