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NBA Rumors: Warriors’ Klay Thompson To Become Free Agent Next Summer?

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James Foglio
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James Foglio Sports Editor

James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

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Updated23 Oct 2023

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NBA Rumors Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson To Become Free Agent Next Summer 2024

According to the latest NBA rumors, Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson is poised to become a free agent in the 2024 offseason. Thompson, 33, is owed $43.21 million in the 2023-24 season. This is part of the five-year, $189.9 million max contract he signed with the Warriors in July 2019.

“There’s a significant gap in extension negotiations for Golden State and Klay Thompson, league sources say, as current signs point to the four-time champion going into 2024 free agency,” Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium said on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” podcast.

Per a couple of NBA betting sites, the Golden State Warriors hold seventh-shortest odds to win this season’s 2024 championship. Check out which sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers.


Earlier this month, NBA insiders reported that Thompson and Golden State would potentially agree to a four-year, $140 million extension. A deal smaller than this could lead to him becoming a free agent.

In July, Draymond Green signed a four-year, $100 million deal, and Stephen Curry is currently under contract through the 2025-26 season.

Additionally, Chris Paul’s $30 million salary for the 2024-25 season is non-guaranteed. Therefore, Paul’s contract allows the Warriors to extend Thompson without going into the second tax apron.

If a team goes into the second apron, it can lose the ability to sign buyout players during the season, the $5 million taxpayer midlevel exception, and forfeit access to trade exceptions or cash in trades.

NBA Rumors: Warriors star Klay Thompson will either sign five-year, $140 million extension or become free agent

“A four-year deal in the $30-35 million per season range sounds reasonable, at least to the NBA executives I talk to. There is no sign of acrimony between Thompson and the Warriors. Bet on the two sides getting something done,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.

In the 2022-23 season, the five-time All-Star made 69 appearances. Thompson averaged 21.9 points, a career-high 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 33 minutes per game while shooting 43.6% from the floor and 41.2% beyond the arc. The 10-year veteran led the league in 3-pointers with 301 3s as well.

In Golden State’s 143-141 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 2, 2023, the guard recorded a season-high 54 points, eight boards, three assists, and one block in 46 minutes of action.

While some fans and ESPN analysts have voiced their concerns over his performances last season, the four-time NBA champ continues to disagree with his critics.

“I think [my struggles were] a little overrated,” Thompson told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater a few weeks ago. “The microscope on our team now is insane. You gotta accept that. I didn’t shoot the ball well at times. I’m human.

“But guess what? I still led the league in made 3s and shot 41 percent. That’s insane. Over 300 makes. I’m not going to sell myself short. I know how incredible that is. To do that after an ACL and an Achilles, that’s hard work.”

Thompson ranks 11th on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers list, with 2,213 3s. He needs nine more 3s to pass Jamal Crawford (2,221) for 10th place. Future NBA Hall of Famer LeBron James (2,261) ranks ninth.

It would be unwise for the Warriors to let Thompson become a free agent. That should go without saying.

More NBA rumors are on the main page.