Golden State Warriors Guard Klay Thompson Willing to Take a Discount to Stay With the Team
The Golden State Warriors managed to re-sign their most important role players this summer because Kevin Durant was willing to take a pay cut to keep the core together. However, things would surely get tricky again when Klay Thompson becomes a free agent in the summer of 2019.
The three-time All-Star will get the opportunity to earn a max contract and become the focal point of an offense if he signs elsewhere in 2019, but he has recently revealed that he's willing to take a discount to stay with the Warriors.
"We're talking like 24 months away. But it's something that definitely crossed my mind, especially when you see guys like Kevin (Durant) doing it," Thompson said on Wednesday, via the Mercury News.
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Durant could have earned $34.5 million per year if he signed a max deal, but he decided to leave money on the table so the Warriors can re-sign Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.
Of course, Thompson probably won't take a $9.5 million pay cut like Durant did since he doesn't earn as much, but he's willing to take less because he knows the Warriors have a chance to win multiple titles if they stay together.
"100 percent, it'd be different if I was making scraps off the court. But I've been very blessed to be a part of winning team. When you're part of a winning team, everybody gets to eat. So that's why I'm indebted to the guys around me. Without them, I would not have the deals that I have," he continued.
Thompson has recently signed a 10-year extension with Anta worth up to $80 Million, so he's also earning a lot off-the-court, and he will likely make more in endorsement deals if he continues to win with the Warriors.
A lot can happen in two years, but right now, it seems Thompson's not even considering leaving Golden State.
