Klay Thompson is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
When the two sides begin negotiating, don’t expect the Warriors to end up getting a team-friendly deal.
“Thompson has no plans to take a discount, and the Warriors don’t expect him to, league sources say.”
What does this mean, exactly?
Well, if Klay makes one of the three All-NBA teams (he was Third-Team All-NBA in 2015 and 2016), he will be eligible to sign for the “super max” — which would pay him an estimated $221 million over five years.
If the four-time All-Star is not an All-NBA player, he is still eligible for a 5-year deal worth around $190 million.
Why isn’t Klay signing an extension with the Warriors right now? Because based on CBA rules, the max amount allowed would be just north of $102 million over four years (starting in 2019-20).
So yeah — you can do the math.
[RELATED: Klay Thompson: ‘That’s why it would be hard for me to leave’ the Warriors]
The biggest contract Klay could sign with another team is for about $140 million over four seasons.
As we all know, the Warriors have a lot on the horizon next summer — Kevin Durant will be a free agent, Draymond Green will also be “super max” eligible if he wins Defensive Player of the Year or is All-NBA, Shaun Livingston only has a partial guarantee, Andre Iguodala will be entering the final year of his deal, Jordan Bell will be a restricted free agent, etc.
They will also become a “repeater tax” team which will increase the luxury tax payments even more.
But as Steve Kerr said on Sunday:
Reporter: “Given the economics of the game, is there any thought that this is the last go around with this core group?”
Steve Kerr: “No”
…..long pause…..
“Can’t make it any clearer than that”— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 14, 2018
Buckle up and enjoy the ring ceremony tonight…
Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller