SAN FRANCISCO – A longtime NBA agent told me several years ago during the Warriors’ dynasty era that Golden State CEO Joe Lacob might be the most competitive owner in the league. That he wants to win “everything”.
Not only the championship, but also contract negotiations.
This claim has proven more and more credible over the years, and it sheds light on the growing case of the Warriors and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Klay Thompson.
The Warriors are sincere in their desire to retain Thompson — but on terms they consider a good value. Lacob has proven that he will pay, but also that he wants to win the investment.
“We want him back,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said at a pre-NBA draft press conference on Monday. “We have always said this. Hopefully he comes back. But as far as specifics and discussions and those types of things are concerned, I think it’s important to keep these things in-house. When we resolve all this, we will have news for you.
Meanwhile, Golden State is showing a level of patience that only comes when it believes there is a reasonable chance of being rewarded.
They’re willing to wait to let Thompson and his representatives explore the market and see what’s available. The warriors have drawn a line in the sand and they will not willingly cross it. They will not even consider crossing it unless provoked, at which time they can recalibrate.
It is possible
It is a variation of chicken, the game in which, for example, two drivers set out on a collision course to see which of them moves further to avoid the other. Except that it involves two groups with clear differences that will persist until someone reaches a compromise.
Despite Thompson’s tremendous contributions to the franchise’s greatest years ever, this strategy is risky but logical. The Warriors don’t know Klay’s exact value on the market, and neither does Team Thompson. What is known is that both sides do not agree.
It has also become clear that the warmth of past glory matters, but it is not the deciding factor for either side.
“I think I’m rational, I’m rational,” Dunleavy said. “I will always work like this. But for a guy like Klay Thompson, who means so much to this franchise, to say that to completely take the emotion out of it, I think it’s almost impossible.
“But this is a business. We’ll talk through things and continue to talk through things. We’re hopeful, but we’ll see. We have to figure things out.”
From a strictly business standpoint, the Warriors look to a five-time All-Star and one-time All-Defensive Team selection who is unlikely to achieve such distinction. Thompson was 29 when he received either of these honors. Five years and two devastating injuries later, he no longer has the gifts that used to invite such high rewards.
Golden State has watched Thompson’s last 2.5 seasons and concluded that he is no longer a “Max” player, but is still capable of contributing significantly to a winning team. He can still drop 40 points in a given game, but his scoring frenzy is diminished. He can provide good defense in some matchups, but he can no longer lock down the perimeter scorer.
According to multiple league sources, Thompson wants a three-year contract and a chance to win a fifth NBA championship. That’s why a potential contender – the Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, to name three – would be interested.
The Warriors consider themselves contenders, but they want to see how far other teams will go to convince Thompson to leave the franchise that drafted him 13 years ago. They don’t necessarily believe any team will wave a nine-figure bag under their chin.
If Klay is determined to go, Golden State can’t and won’t stop him. If he is willing to embrace the sixth man role as well as stay under agreed financial terms, the Warriors would open their arms to a reasonable offer.
“It’s most important to keep all those things in mind,” Dunleavy said. “And that’s kind of what has happened, what we’re seeing. It’s as simple as that.
“There will probably be varying degrees of that value, but it’s on us and the onus is on me to figure out what’s the right amount for our team.”
The true amount is regardless of the Golden State’s luxury tax bill. This is barely relevant to where Thompson would fit in the team’s salary structure.
As defined by the Warriors, the right amount is what stops Thompson, while also allowing Lacob and Dunleavy to feel successful.
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