Curry, Green and Kerr’s support ‘means a lot’ to Klay Thompson

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State guard Klay Thompson did not need to spend an excessive amount of time desirous about his future throughout his exit interview on Wednesday, simply at some point after the Warriors’ season got here to an abrupt finish — and simply at some point after he probably performed his last sport for the group as he heads into free company this summer time.

“Considering it’s April 17th, I don’t think I have to pivot that quickly,” Thompson mentioned. “When is free agency? July 1st? Yeah, I got some time. I got some time.”

Perhaps Thompson hasn’t thought a lot about who he might be enjoying for subsequent season, however his teammates Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have considered what it might be like if Thompson wasn’t to return.

Following their loss to the Sacramento Kings within the play-in event, Curry mentioned he could not think about not enjoying alongside Thompson, whereas Green mentioned there is not “any scenario where Klay leaves and that’s the best decision for this team and organization.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr merely declared they wanted Thompson again.

“It means a lot,” Thompson mentioned about his teammate’s and coach’s sentiments. “I mean, we’ve been through the highest of highs and lows. Whether it’s losing a championship, winning a championship, missing the playoffs, we’ve been through everything together, so that does mean a lot. It makes me grateful to have the times I’ve had with them. Like, that was pretty historic stuff.”

Thompson’s season of evolution has now concluded. After a sluggish begin to the common season, Thompson was despatched to the second unit one sport forward of the All-Star break. He then went on to put collectively what he categorized as his greatest basketball of the season by means of the ultimate three months, incomes his beginning spot again.

Through all of that, Thompson mentioned the largest lesson he realized this season was to not be a “frontrunner” — not shying away from unhealthy moments and simply embracing the nice ones, one thing he has finished up to now.

It helped inform him of his biggest precedence transferring ahead.

“(I) want to keep winning,” Thompson mentioned. “I mean, when you’ve been a part of winning seasons, you don’t really want to go away from that. So I would like to win again. One for the thumb would be nice. I still think it’s in reach … other than that, just got to think about that, what will really make you happy in the last few years of your career.”

The query for Thompson by means of free company: Can he accomplish that someplace apart from Golden State? A supply informed ESPN that Thompson values profitable greater than financial compensation, so so long as the Warriors discover methods to present their appreciation for Thompson — whether or not it’s cash or one thing else — he would probably keep within the Bay Area.

On Tuesday, Draymond Green mentioned he was assured the group would discover the best manner to maintain Thompson, similar to it has for all the different pillars of the Warriors’ dynastic core.

When requested if he felt the possession group has proven him that effort, Thompson mentioned he wasn’t certain how to reply the query.

“Every year I give my best effort. And the ownership group has been great. I have nothing but positive things to say about them,” Thompson mentioned. “I don’t really know how to answer that. I mean, it’s up to them, but at the end of the day whatever happens, it’s all gravy. It’s been such a freaking special run.”

There is a want for any new contract Thompson strikes with the Warriors to align him with the 2 years remaining on Curry and Kerr’s deal.

As for if this might be the final contract of Thompson’s profession?

“Maybe,” he mentioned. “I don’t know. When that time comes, I mean I’m not trying to put an expiration date on my career. That’s kind of something you just go by feel.”