Extension negotiations between Klay Thompson, Warriors, freeze

The contract extension negotiation between the Golden State Warriors and their four-time NBA champion shooter Klay Thompson hasn't been going well, The Athletic reported on Saturday.

Thompson, 34, will become an unrestricted free agent on June 30 unless the Warriors signs a deal with him. He has been playing for the team since they drafted him with the 11th pick in 2011. He grew into one of the deadliest shooters in league history, a five-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA Third Team selection and an All-Defensive Second Team nod who helped the team win four NBA championships.

However, it's also cruelly true that Today's Thompson is no longer who he was before after suffering two serious injuries in 2019 and 2020. As a result, he is too slow to play the point of attack role on the defensive end. His signature 3-point shooting was affected as well. He failing to reach three on this front for the first time in his career. His 3-point rate of 38.7 percent was also the second-lowest in his career.

Furthermore, the Warriors have been bearing one of the biggest payrolls in the NBA for years at the cost of growing luxury tax and more strictly-tied hands in team-building thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement. They were eliminated in the Western Conference play-in tournament last season.

Therefore, the Warriors understandably have been very cautious in offering extension to Thompson. According to ESPN, the team offered him a two-year deal but the veteran wants a three-year contract at least, per NBC Sports. Meanwhile, there are teams with enough cap space and in need for a shooter like Thompson. For example, the Orlando Magic, which finished in the fifth place in the Easter Conference last season, are a potential destination for him.