Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr made it clear how he feels about veteran Klay Thompson after Tuesday's play-in series loss to the Sacramento Kings.
“We need Clay back,” Kerr said. “I know he had a tough night tonight, but he represents for us, the spacing … Klay's presence means so much to the spacing of the floor, the flow of the offense.”
Thompson was held scoreless in the Warriors' 118-94 loss, which eliminated the team from playoff contention. Thompson, 34, has spent his entire career with the Warriors and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. After the play-in game, Stephen Curry said, “I can't see myself with those two guys,” referring to Thompson and Draymond Green.
“He's still got some good years ahead of him,” Kerr added. “I know I speak for everyone in the organization — we want him back.
“What Clay has meant to this franchise, he's still good and we want him back.”
Draymond Green believes the organization will prioritize Klay Thompson: “They did me right. They've done it right with Steph. They have done right by all of us. Clay tore his ACL and paid him $160 million dollars. pic.twitter.com/Px3jR74cQz
— Anthony Slater (@antonyVslater) April 17, 2024
Thompson struggled mightily against Sacramento, going 0-for-10 from the field in 32 minutes. During the regular season, he averaged 17.9 points per game and shot 38.7 percent from 3. He averaged 19.6 points per game.
“I wouldn't want to go anywhere else. To play for a franchise? It's very rare,” Thompson said Athletic In October. “In any sport. Football. Baseball. Basketball. Australian rules football. It's crazy to play in a club. It's some real legendary stuff. What Udonis Haslem has done. He's respected in Miami. Locally. That's what I admire.
“Going around the country, going around the world and people from Northern California or Warriors fans in general are very proud of the Warriors. I was here before the banners were hung. So in a way, this is our baby. You have to ride it out. I am very fortunate to be a part of this franchise. It would be very difficult to imagine myself in another uniform.
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