Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Despite trade speculations surrounding Klay Thompson, an NBA insider revealed Thompson’s last request to Golden State Warriors star player Stephen Curry before joining the Dallas Mavericks. According to recent reports by NBA Insider Anthony Slater for The Athletic, Thompson told Curry not to demand that the front office pay him. He mentioned that the 34-year-old shooting guard requested Curry not to exert influence on the franchise.
Klay Thompson told Steph Curry not to demand that the front office pay him, per @anthonyVslater
"I was told that Klay requested of Steph, 'Don't exert your influence. Don't demand that they do right by me financially. I want them to, want to [do that on their own]'"
(Via… pic.twitter.com/LoTtnQb8ct
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 2, 2024
“I was told that Klay requested of Steph, ‘Don’t exert your influence. Don’t demand that they do right by me financially. I want them to, want to [do that on their own]’” Slater Wrote.
Thompson, along with Curry and Draymond Green, played crucial roles in the Warriors’ recent success. However, after winning the championship in the 2021-22 season, the team entered a declining phase and was eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 season. Additionally, the Warriors did not make the playoffs in the 2023-24 season and were eliminated during the Play-in tournament. Thompson’s performance declined during this time, leading to disagreements between him and the Warriors. According to StatMuse, Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 77 games in the 2023-24 season.
Curry’s Calm Voice Can’t Mask Front Office’s Genuine Desire for Thompson Comeback
“It’s been a layered five-year path to this divorce, splintering last season, sprouting earlier, and finalizing in the last couple weeks, where —among the conversations Thompson had, league sources said — was a request of Stephen Curry not to exert his significant organizational influence and up the temperature with management to ensure Thompson’s return. Curry’s measured voice, even if it altered the outcome, wouldn’t change the genuineness of Joe Lacob and the front office’s true desire to have Thompson back.” Slater added.
During a recent episode of the show “First Take,” host Shannon Sharpe made bold statements about Thompson and praised the Warriors for their support during Thompson’s Achilles and ACL injuries.
