As the most important off-season in LA Clippers history approaches, rumblings regarding Klay Thompson’s dissatisfaction with his situation in Golden State have been appearing for the first time. Could the Clippers and Thompson be a match?
Ever since Jerry West left the Golden State Warriors for a similar role in the LA Clippers organization and transitioned the franchise out of its exciting yet underwhelming Lob City era, the eye has been on the prizes of the summer of 2019. The most frequent name mentioned has been SoCal native and current Raptor Kawhi Leonard, while Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and even Kyrie Irving have made byline appearances on ever “Who Will the Clippers Target?” list.
One player who had not been discussed before was five-time All-Star, three-time champion guard Klay Thompson. Thompson, a Golden State Warriors since the 2011 draft, had never made any indication he was less than satisfied with his situation in Oakland, and he was seen as close to a sure thing to follow the organization to San Francisco next season.
This all changed Monday with an appearance on Get Up! from ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, who indicated Thompson could leave the Warriors if not offered the max, and, despite a year of frequent buzz tying him to the Lakers, the franchise his father, Mychal, played for, Woj indicated the Clippers could be a preferred destination for the sharpshooting wing.
This was the first time Klay Thompson had been inserted into the public discourse about the Clippers’ free agency plans, and it does have some traction. Thompson is a Los Angeles native, who found himself rejuvenated after a swim in his hometown’s waters, even commenting on the impossibility of doing so in the frigid ocean of Northern California. And the Clippers do have Jerry West in the front office, who most likely agrees Thompson fits the mold if a selfless, defensively tough, versatile Clippers franchise. And their past connections likely do not hurt, either.
Just a little over 24 hours later, the buzz around Thompson intensified, as Stephen A. Smith claimed on ESPN’s First Take that Klay is “tired of sitting around and getting the crumbs from other people”, according to sources who spoke to Smith, although Smith adamantly noted he had not spoken to Thompson himself.
Though Thompson has never publicly noted any dissatisfaction, this is not surprising. The Warriors are a first-class, championship organization who have thrived on order in times that could be chaotic for other clubs. To speak out publicly against the team could be incredibly damaging for a player’s reputation. And Thompson, unhappy though he may be, has been a team-first player in his career in Golden State, playing elite perimeter defense and patiently waiting for his shots on a team loaded with All Stars.
At this time, I would say the odds are against Klay Thompson wearing Clippers blue. While he may be frustrated now, his chemistry with fellow Splash Brother Stephen Curry is legendary. It seems as though if the Warriors manage to pay Thompson what he wants, he will stay. But if things further deteriorate in the Bay, it does make sense for Klay to look to the sunny shores of home. And if he does so, a familiar front office face and organization developing a strong winning culture of their own awaits.