Former Warriors GM Bob Myers offers his thoughts on Klay Thompson’s contract negotiation

With the Warriors’ regular season beginning a week from Tuesday, Klay Thompson could begin the year without a new contract.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday that it’s not looking likely that the two sides will come to an agreement anytime soon.

“I’m told that there has been absolutely no progress on a Klay Thompson extension in Golden State,” Wojnarowski said. “They are both still apart on years and money, and there’s a very real possibility that Klay Thompson goes into free agency next summer without a deal.”

Thompson, who turns 34 in February, is nearing an end to the five-year, $190-million maximum contract he signed on July 10, 2019.

Former Warriors general manager Bob Myers, now working as an ESPN analyst, offered his assessment of the situation.

“This is why I left,” Myers said jokingly. “A lot of time people will say, ‘this is just business.’ But this is not just a business situation. There’s going to be a statue of this guy outside of Chase Center. He was instrumental at bringing four championship. He’s beloved inside the organization and with the fanbase. It’s not as simple as money and years.”

Thompson scored 12 points in 17 minutes during the Warriors’ 121-115 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.

He was asked last week if he thinks it’s possible he’d sign a new deal before the season begins.

“I think it’s possible,” he said. “If not, life is still great.”

Speaking on ESPN on Sunday, Myers said this would be a complicated negotiation.

“This is why it’s hard for me, because you have relationships with people,” Myers said. “Especially if you’ve succeeded with them. And that core has been together for 12 years. That’s just so rare now. That just doesn’t happen. So this is a delicate negotiation.

“From what I know and see, he wants to stay. They want him to stay. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen. But it is a test. And it’s probably the first real test.”

Reporting for NBA Countdown on the Klay Thompson extension talks, including ESPN analyst Bob Myers' window into the negotiating stakes for the Golden State Warriors and the franchise's storied guard pic.twitter.com/YpZaIppooU

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 16, 2023