Photo credit: USA Today
Klay Thompson could have just played his last game with the Warriors
If Tuesday night was Klay Thompson's last appearance in a Golden State Warriors jersey, it ended in disappointing fashion. Thompson failed to score in 32 minutes, contributing to the Warriors' elimination from playoff contention as they lost 118–94 to the Sacramento Kings in the NBA play-in tournament.
This marked only the fifth time in his career that Thompson went scoreless, and only the second instance since Steve Kerr became the Warriors' coach in 2014, according to ESPN's Kendra Andrews. The only other time Thompson didn't score under Kerr's coaching was when he got ejected just 103 seconds into a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in November.Now 34 and on the brink of free agency, Thompson faces an offseason filled with questions. Was Tuesday's disappointing performance his final showing in a Warriors uniform?
Here what Steve Kerr had to say :
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"We need Klay back, I know he had a tough night tonight, but what he represents for us—the spacing—we're not a deep shooting team. We're a little top-heavy. Klay's presence means so much to the spacing of the floor, to the flow of the offense. [...] He's still got good years left. We want him back. Obviously, there's business at hand, and that has to be addressed. ... What Klay has meant to this franchise, as good he still is, we desperately want him back."
Klay Thompson is set for free agency this offseason, marking a potential end to his tenure with a dominant Golden State Warriors. Once unthinkable, Thompson's departure now seems plausible as he's no longer at his superstar peak—he scored zero in the season's final game and averaged below 20 points for the first time since 2014. Last offseason, the Warriors offered him a two-year, $48 million extension, but with the rise of rookie Brandin Podziemski, they might not increase that offer.
The market might still favor Thompson; similar players like Grayson Allen secured substantial contracts, setting a benchmark. However, without another deep playoff run, and with the Warriors dynasty appearing to wind down, the end of an era is likely. There's a real chance Thompson just played his last game as a Warrior.
Source CBS Sports : Klay Thompson may have just played his last Warriors game -- here's what might come next for the team legend
Source Sports Illustrated : Steve Kerr Addresses Klay Thompson's Future With Warriors After Ugly Elimination Game
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April 17 | 12 answers Klay Thompson could have just played his last game with the Warriors Has Klay Thompson played his last game for the Warriors? | ||
Yes | 7 | 58.3 % |
No | 5 | 41.7 % |
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