Golden State Warriors beware: fail to sign Klay Thompson to a max extension and the Atlanta Hawks will be ready to pounce.
Thompson is playing in the final season of his four-year, $68.98 million contract with the Warrior. The 29-year-old guard will become a free agent this summer and is expected to draw numerous offers when the free agency period begins.
The former Washington State standout has openly declared his desire to stay with Warriors — the only team he has known in his eight years as a pro — and Golden State will likely make a big offer to him. However, should they hesitate and delay signing Thompson to a max contract worth $190 million, the Hawks will reportedly make a run for the sharpshooter.
Per Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
“If the Warriors don’t immediately offer Thompson a max contract of five years and about $190 million, I’m told he will listen to free-agent pitches from other teams. And if that happens, the Hawks are confident they’d get a chance to persuade Thompson to sign with them.”
The Hawks are undoubtedly an intriguing landing spot for Klay. However, with a rising star in Trae Young — often compared to Stephen Curry — playing for Atlanta might not be a bad idea at all.
Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk is familiar with Thompson, having served as Warriors assistant GM before he moved to Atlanta. Schlenk was actually with the Dubs when they selected Thompson in the 2011 NBA Draft, and he reportedly told Atlanta back in 2017 that he will make a run at Klay when he hits free agency.
It's a game of wait-and-see now for the Hawks, but they sure are laser-focused on their prey.
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