Klay Thompson is entering his 13th NBA season. The veteran wing has been with the Golden State Warriors for his entire career. Thompson has been a core part of the franchise’s historic dynasty, winning four championships alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
Thompson’s current contract expires at the end of the season. During a recent interview with Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Thompson discussed his desire to remain with the Warriors for the rest of his career. The veteran sharpshooter used Udonis Haslem as an example of a one-team player and how the Miami Heat fan base reveres him.
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” Thompson told Slater. “To play for one franchise, man? That’s so rare. In any sport. Football. Baseball. Basketball. Australian Rules Football. To play for one club is insane. It’s some real legendary stuff. Even what Udonis Haslem did. He’s revered in Miami. Locally.
That’s what I cherish. Going around the country, going around the world and people from Northern California or Warriors fans in general are just so prideful about the Warriors. And I was here before banners were hung up. So in a way, it’s our baby. You want to ride it out. I’ve just been so lucky to be a part of this franchise. It’d be so hard to envision myself in another uniform.”
In recent years, Thompson has done well to bounce back from two serious injuries. Now, Thompson will have a new challenge as Steve Kerr experiments with a new defensive role for his veteran wing. That role could unleash a new version of Thompson and see him reach his former heights.
The Warriors waited until the end of the 2022-23 season to negotiate a new contract with Green. So, Thompson has plenty of time to re-sign with the franchise he’s spent his entire career with.
