Warriors trade way out for Klay Thompson for $120 million Warriors trade way out for Klay Thompson for $120 million Klay Thompson, Warriors Getty Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors have a Klay Thompson problem, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Thompson has struggled this season, averaging just 13.8 points per contest while shooting 33.8 from the 3-point line in 12 games.
Thompson is in the final season of a five-year, $190 million contract and is seeking a multi-year extension like the franchise’s Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green have been in recent years.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the maximum contract Thompson can sign with the Warriors is $220 million over four years.
The two sides made little progress at the negotiating table over the summer, when Thompson officially became extension-eligible.
That he is now shooting a career-worst from deep and producing the meekest points-per-game average since his rookie campaign in 2011-12 doesn’t bode well for Thompson’s future in the Bay Area, financial or otherwise.
Advertising Kendrick Perkins suggested on the Friday, November 17 edition of ESPN’s NBA Today that Golden State should deal Thompson to the highest bidder ahead of the February 8 trade deadline.
Zach Lowe pointed out during the same show that doing so is easier said than done.
However, Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat is the kind of player who could fit in a deal with Thompson based on salary and the needs of both franchises.
The Warriors may have to pack up their assets to trade Klay Thompson Klay Thompson Andrew Wiggins GSW-SAC Getty Klay Thompson (left) of the Golden State Warriors.
Thompson’s work in 2023 has undoubtedly been affected by Curry’s knee injury and Green’s recent NBA ban.
Still, Perkins vehemently argued Friday that it’s time for the Warriors to move on. “If Klay can’t do it, that’s a problem,” Perkins said.
“Actually, it’s time for Golden State to move on from Klay Thompson. I think this marriage has run its course and I think Klay needs a fresh start in a new organization.
“If we sit here and say, ‘Trade Klay Thompson,’ you have to tell me where and for what?” Lowe replied to Perkins. “He has a $43 million expiring contract that … isn’t playing well.
I”m giving up and what do I get for Klay Thompson? It’s much harder to actually do that – forget the emotion, forget the story, forget the form – just doing it mechanically is hard.”
Perkins cited the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, both of whom were fired by Lowe because they had to give up better assets to Thompson than they would return.
Perkins then mentioned the Heat, which drew a “not bad” response from Lowe. “Some trades make sense, and I’ll tell you where it’s really interesting,” Lowe said.
“If you’re really desperate, if you’re the Warriors … and you’re willing to put something on Klay Thompson — a draft pick, a young player — you’re going to have some interesting conversations.
Tyler Herro could have been on the Trading Block all summer Getty Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat. Like Thompson, Herro is a dynamic offensive player who can fill it deep.
The 23-year-old guard is averaging a career-high 22.9 points per game through eight games this season and is shooting the most efficient shooting of his five-year NBA career (44.7% from the field and 41% from deep). via basketball reference.
However, the Heat have been more effective since Herro’s Grade 2 ankle sprain against the Memphis Grizzlies on the 8th. in november The team has won four games in a row since Herro’s injury and is 4-1 with a starter on the bench.
This is not the first time Miami has recovered from Herro’s injury. He broke his arm in the first game of the first round of the 2023 Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Heat upset the eighth seeded Milwaukee Bucks and carried that momentum all the way to the NBA Finals. Miami also reached the Eastern Conference Finals last year, although Herro missed a lot of time with injuries.
NBA insiders widely reported and/or speculated that Herro was on the table as the Heat’s primary trade tag when the Heat attempted to acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, despite the franchise later denying the deal.
Herro signs a four-year, $120 million deal, making him a reasonable centerpiece of a deal for Thompson.
Miami needs more salary to make the financial situation work, especially if the Warriors throw in an extra player to make a trade feasible for the Heat.
Thompson could break through in South Beach along with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, while Herro could provide a winning element to the rotation of the Warriors similar to Thompson’s earlier career.
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