“It’s like a slap in the face” – Andre Iguodala gives insight into Klay Thompson’s mindset ahead of free agency

The Golden State Warriors suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers in Round 2. The Warriors, who cruised past the regular season with ease, were kicked out of the Western Conference Semi-Finals in 6 Games. The defending champions’ exit from the playoffs raises several questions this summer. Where does Draymond Green go from here? Where does Klay Thompson go from here? And probably the latter hit Andre Iguodala harder!

While in conversation with Evan Turner for the Point Forward podcast, Iguodala revealed one such incident which holds deep meaning. Iguodala said, “I noticed that it was awkward times when I got a text from Klay Thompson.” Iguodala’s tone set the mood for the conversation, which was nothing short of underwhelming. What was to come was a conversation about Thompson’s mentality ahead of his free agency.

Iguodala then said, “I’m like, Klay is texting me. I looked it up and he said, ‘Hey, are you playing golf anytime soon?’ I’m like ‘Oh, Klay wants to hang out!’.” He then said, “That’s when I knew that he’s bored. And then I looked at what time it was and the date. And I was like, ‘Oh, he’s not used to not working right now at this time.’”

Iguodala then dropped the bomb about his thought process and how he didn’t like any of it. He said, “That’s when it hit me — oh, this is different. So, it’s like a slap in the face.” As Klay Thompson now stands at the cusp of free agency, the team’s morale seems to be at an all-time low.

Related: Gilbert Arenas asks Warriors to DECLINE Klay Thompson’s contract extension

Klay Thompson’s contract situation

The Warriors’ Klay Thompson delivered a remarkable regular season, signifying that he has overcome his injury challenges. Participating in 69 games, he surpassed his previous record from the 2018-19 NBA season, demonstrating his durability. Notably, he achieved an impressive average of 21.9 points per game, the third-highest throughout his entire NBA career. Additionally, he exhibited his versatility by securing a career-high of 4.1 rebounds per game, showcasing his contributions on both offense and defense.

Back in 2019, Klay Thompson inked a substantial five-year contract extension worth $190 million with the Golden State Warriors, which is now approaching its end. Recent reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski indicate that Thompson anticipates a notable contract extension from the Warriors during the offseason.

If the Warriors decide to extend Klay Thompson’s contract and Draymond Green chooses to exercise his player option, the combined payroll and luxury tax for the Golden State team could potentially exceed $500 million. Such a scenario would have implications for the organization’s long-term financial planning.

It is crucial to consider Thompson’s injury history and advancing age, as these factors may influence his bargaining leverage. Notably, Thompson will be 33 years old when his present contract concludes, posing a challenging decision for the Warriors’ front office. It’ll be interesting to see how the contract situation plays out for the Warriors and Thompson. Stay tuned for more updates!

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