Klay Thompson is one of the premier free agents this summer. The Golden State marksman has been a key staple of the Warrior’s dynasty run and it is imperative they retain him in order to maintain their dominance. While he will miss most of next season rehabbing an ACL injury, he is still highly touted by many NBA teams. Even with the injury, Klay Thompson deserves a max contract this summer.
Klay Thompson’s Value
Thompson has been instrumental to Golden State’s success. He can space the floor with his ability to shoot but is also deceptively crafty. Many times, he will get a defender to bite on a pump fake and dribble in for a lay-up or a mid-range jump-shot. Also, do not forget that he kept the Warriors alive in the close-out game six of this past season’s NBA Finals. Especially since Stephen Curry was struggling. It was not until he went out with his ACL injury, that the Toronto Raptors got the edge they needed to earn their first-ever NBA title. One could also argue that he would have been the Finals MVP had the Warriors won.
Klay Thompson has been impressive over the years. He averages 19.5 points per game for his career and shoots nearly 42% from three-point range. Not to mention, he is an elite two-way player. Thompson has a career defensive rating of 108 and also possesses a career defensive win share total of 18.6. Thompson brings an edge on defense that would benefit any NBA team. With all of this in mind, the Golden State Warriors would be foolish to not offer the star shooting guard a max contract. Especially since another team will offer him one.
Which Team Would Klay Thompson Fit With the Best?
Obviously, Thompson fits with the Warriors the best. However, let’s say they do not offer him a max contract. After all, it has been said he will look elsewhere if Golden State does not offer him a max deal. It is easy to say the Lakers, however, the best fit would honestly be the other L.A. team. The Clippers provide Klay Thompson the best opportunity to be the go-to option. Not to mention, they have another max slot to pair him with another star if they can.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams, coming off the bench does not hurt either and other scrappy players like Montrezl Harrell also make the Clippers a squad just a star away from contending. With Thompson added to the mix, the Clippers are a threat to win the West. All in all, whoever is interested in Klay Thompson, better be ready to offer him a max contract. After everything he has proven in this league, Thompson has certainly earned it.
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