Klay Thompson says he wants to be part of the Golden State Warriors for life, but money could always stand in the way. Thompson says he looks forward to testing free agency next summer.
Business Insider's Scott Davis reported that keeping the championship core comes with a hefty price tag as it also means paying the luxury tax. The sweet-shooting guard is due for an extension and Kevin Durant and Draymond Green are also next in line. If the three All-Stars intend to stay, it could push the Warriors' payroll up to $300 million with taxes.
When asked if he would sign an extension this summer, Klay has this to say:
It's tough to say. I'd definitely be interested. But at the end of the day, I'm going to be a free agent in 2019. Number one on my list would obviously be to stay with the Warriors.
Stephen Curry was signed to a massive 5-year, $201 million deal. The team used its $5 million mid-level extension to snag free agent DeMarcus Cousins this offseason, but its overall cost is tantamount to $20 million due to luxury-tax penalties. Fortunately, the Warriors are going to debut its new arena, the Chase Center, in the 2019-2020 season. This means it could help defray the cost of Thompson's massive contract just in case.
Klay Thompson is set to earn $18.9 million this year and he'll be able to earn far more in free agency than he could by signing an extension with the team. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the teams that could sign him if Thompson decides to look towards a more financially lucrative future than what the Warriors are offering. Who knows, though? The Warriors might just max him out as well.
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