Klay Thompson was mentioned in several NBA trade rumors this offseason before the Golden State Warriors decided to keep him. But with the possibility of entering free agency next summer, will the Warriors consider trade Thompson?
The Warriors tried to trade for Kevin Love this summer, but the Minnesota Timberwolves wanted Golden State to include Thompson in the deal, which led to the cancellation of discussions between the two teams.
Thompson, who had the best year of young career last season, will become a restricted free agent next summer, but Warriors general manager Bob Myers said that they value Thompson highly.
"We value him in the highest way, and we want to keep him on this team for a long time," Myers said in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News.
Thompson, who averaged 18.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season, combined for 42.4 points per game with his backcourt partner Stephen Curry.
Myers said that they believe the "Splash Brothers" is the best backcourt duo in the league today, and they have no plans to break the duo.
"I think most people believe it to be the best, one of the best backcourts in the NBA, and I don't think that that's a minority opinion. I think it's a majority opinion," Myers said. "That's part of the team you don't worry about too much, right? I mean, that part is good, which is hard to find."
Myers said that they are not planning to sit down with Thompson soon to talk about a contract extension, but he shrugged of fears that the 24-year-old will be affected by his current contract situation.
"He's just laser-focused," Myers said of Thompson. "When you watch him play defense, when you watch him shoot, I'm not sure much knocks him off his center, and that's a tribute to his intensity and competitiveness. Certain people are built that way where you just point them in the direction, and they go. So I don't particularly worry about his mind-set approaching the season."
