Steve Kerr ‘desperately’ wants Klay Thompson to return to Warriors

Klay Thompson had an up-and-down season in 2023-24, averaging his lowest scoring total since his second season in the league. The Golden State Warriors missed the postseason with him healthy for the first time since his rookie season. As the five-time All-Star approaches unrestricted free agency, Steve Kerr revealed he ‘desperately’ wants him to return.

During a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, the Warriors head coach stated:

Klay has been such an integral part of everything around here. Obviously, multi-time champion, but even more than that just someone who has such a great connection with the Bay Area, with the franchise, with his teammates and so we want Klay back desperately.

I want him back desperately. And we will have our conversations and he’s got to make whatever decision he makes, but yeah, we really want him back. He’s Klay Thompson.

“We really want him back. He’s Klay Thompson.”

Warriors HC Steve Kerr on resigning the 5 time all-star. pic.twitter.com/RfYVWhEWgN

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 25, 2024

Thompson has spent his entire 13-year career with the Warriors after being selected 11th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. He has helped lead the franchise to four championships alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green. He earned $43.2 million in 2023-24, the final year of the five-year, $190 million contract he signed in 2019.

Apr 16, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) warms up before a play-in game against the Sacramento Kings in the 2024 NBA playoffs at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Talks between Klay Thompson and the Warriors have reportedly broken down

Klay Thompson’s time with the Golden State Warriors could be nearing its end. Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported that talks between the two sides have broken down, writing:

Klay Thompson isn’t currently mulling a shorter-than-desired offer from the Golden State Warriors. Despite a wide open negotiation window, there isn’t a one-year, two-year or three-year deal on the table. Because nothing is currently on the table, according to league sources.

There’s been no productive discussion between the Warriors and Thompson or his representatives. Talks are essentially frozen. With free agency now less than 10 days away, Thompson’s exit from the only franchise he has ever known feels closer and more probable than ever before. [h/t The Athletic]

Golden State has shared that they want to bring Thompson back. Slater noted, however, that they have business to take care of elsewhere. The front office is reportedly looking to move Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins for upgrades.

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