Kerr says Warriors ‘desperately’ want Klay back next season originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Klay Thompson future in the bay remains increasingly unknown with NBA free agency imminentbut Warriors coach Steve Kerr made his stance on the shooter perfectly clear.
While Kerr acknowledged the business side of things, he didn’t mince words in expressing how much he would like Thompson to return to Golden State next season and beyond.
“That’s how it works in the NBA and in any professional sport,” Kerr said Tuesday during an appearance on “The Jim Rome Show.” “There will be difficult times. Uncomfortable times where there is money involved. Contracts. Respect. However you want to put it.
“What I know is that Klay has been an integral part of everything here. Obviously a multi-time champion, but more than that, someone who has such a great connection to the Bay Area, to the franchise, to his teammates. So we desperately want Klay back. And we’ll have our conversations and he’ll have to make whatever decision he makes, but we really want him back.
Thompson played under Kerr for 10 seasons and, alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green, built a historic dynasty that won four NBA championships between them.
Last season with the Warriors, Thompson averaged 17.9 points on 43.2% shooting from the field and 38.7% 3-point shooting, with 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29.7 minutes. in 77 games.
Thompson previously stated that he would love to retire from the only team he ever played for, but recent reports indicate he could be looking for a new beginning elsewhere as frictions increase. The 34-year-old has fulfilled the $190 million contract he signed with the organization in 2019, and both parties have yet to agree on a new deal.
The five-time NBA All-Star will likely hit the open market when free agency begins on Sunday, and a source confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole that Thompson is seeking a contract offer of at least three years.
The clock is ticking on a very important decision for Thompson and the Warriors, but it’s clear as day where Kerr stands.
