Klay Thompson is eligible for a four-year contract worth up to $223 million, but he is open to re-signing with the Golden State Warriors on a shorter deal. A source told ESPN's Kendra Andrews that money and lineup status are not driving forces for Thompson.
Thompson could possibly sign a two-year deal this summer to align with the remaining time on the contracts of Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr.
Thompson is making $43 million his season on an expiring contract. When Thompson and the Warriors discussed an extension last summer, talks never progressed to specific dollar amounts and instead a range was presented by the Warriors.
Thompson has been candid about his on-court struggles and a source close to him says his frustrations are more about his own level of play and less about the team itself.
"He feels like he's letting everyone down," the source told ESPN. "He doesn't want to be a drain. He wants to help. He wants to feel valuable."
Thompson recently moved to the bench and responded with one of his best ames of the season. Thompson has shot 45 percent on three-pointers during his first five games as a reserve.
"The thought of him coming off the bench as our flame thrower, it's a pretty powerful weapon," Steve Kerr said.
Thompson, however, was very upset when he was informed of the decision from the Warriors to move him out of the starting lineup. Kerr told ESPN that Thompson initially yelled at him and some of the assistants. Thompson later came back to apologize to the coaches.
"It was not an easy conversation," Kerr said. "This is maybe the hardest part about getting further away from our prime. It's just, after 12 years [of Thompson starting], it wasn't easy.
"And still moving forward, it's not going to be easy. But I told him, 'If you really embrace it, you can help your team win.'"
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