Golden State Warriors Rumors: Klay Thompson Not Worth Max Deal?

By Michael Saenz | Oct 9, 2014

May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) attempts shot defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first quarter in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Do the Golden State Warriors believe Klay Thompson is worth a max contract extension?

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After the Golden State Warriors spent the summer outlandishly proclaiming that Klay Thompson is valued more than Kevin Love, at least in its own organization, the Warriors are hesitant on surrendering a max contract to Thompson.

Which both doesn’t make sense, and is quite comical.

The Warriors declined the opportunity to trade for Love this summer, mostly because they believed that Thompson would eventually reach the (super) star status that Love has peaked at.

However, now that it’s time to pay up on those proclamations (and actions) and actually pay Thompson like a (super) star, they don’t want to.

At least, not yet.

According to CSN Bay Area, the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson are several million dollars per year away from a contract extension.

"But there has been no movement in recent weeks. As of Thursday morning, the sides remain $2-3 million a year apart, according to NBA sources."

"Thompson is seeking a max deal, or something close – at least $15 million per year – while the Warriors, according to sources, hover around $13 million per."

"Then there is this: League sources are adamant in saying Timberwolves boss Flip Saunders was prepared to give Thompson a max deal if Minny were to pry Klay away from the Warriors as part of a deal for power forward Kevin Love."

The estimated per year max for 2015-16 will be nearly $18 million.

If the Golden State Warriors and Thompson can’t reach an agreement before the Oct. 31 deadline, Thompson will become a restricted free agent next summer.

Or, he can sign a one-year qualifying offer next summer with the Golden State Warriors and become an unrestricted free agent during the summer of 2016.

What actually works in the Warriors favor, if they can sign Thompson to a max this offseason, is that they’ll actually be signing him at a discount. Specifically, because of the hike in salary cap that will come over the next few seasons with the new TV deals.

The Golden State Warriors can open their wallets now, look like the “good guys” and still save money in the long run. But do they feel Thompson is worth it?

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