The 2018 free agency class has taken a big hit as far as which star players are truly available. LeBron James is only a realistic option for a couple of teams, DeMarcus Cousins will be coming off a torn Achilles, and Paul George seems likely to stay in Oklahoma City. The 2019 class, headlined by the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Klay Thompson could be another story however.
Thompson in particular seems like a real possibility to find a new home, as the Golden State Warriors have already given huge contracts to Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green. Additionally, Thompson could want to be the primary player on a team of his own as opposed to sometimes being lost in the shuffle in Golden State.
But that doesn’t seem to be the case as Thompson says that his goal is to play with the Warriors for his entire career, via Mark Medina of the Mercury News:
“Absolutely,” Thompson told Bay Area News Group. “I’ve always said that. Playing for one team your whole career is definitely special. Only so many guys have done it in professional sports, so it’ll be a goal of mine. Hopefully it all works out.”
Thompson continued that he is willing to do whatever he can to remain in Golden State, but isn’t thinking about his pending free agency next summer:
“It’s so far away,” Thompson said of his pending free agency. “Anything I can do to stay with the Warriors is first and foremost. God willing, it happens. If not, I don’t even think about that.”
As for speculation that’s tied George to the Los Angeles Lakers, Thompson believes there may be some truth to it and for other stars who are Southern California natives, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Oh, there’s definitely some truth to it,” said Warriors star Klay Thompson, who went to high school at Santa Margarita and whose parents still live in Orange County, “especially growing up down here, and having his family down here. There’s got to be … some truth to it.”
After George this summer, teams will be lining up to sign Thompson if it is believed that they have a chance as he is truly one of the best two-way players in the NBA. In addition to being one of the greatest shooters the league has ever seen, as a career 42.3 percent shooter from deep, he doubles as one of the best perimeter defenders who can guard multiple positions.
Thompson’s goal may be to stay with the Warriors, but it remains to be seen if they will have the financial capabilities to keep him. If he’s available, the Lakers will almost definitely be at the front of the line to bring in the son of Mychal Thompson, who won championships with the franchise.
