Home Basketball Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors paid close attention to Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday’s recent contract extension

Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors paid close attention to Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday’s recent contract extension

Basketball — 04/20/2024

ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported on The Lowe Post that Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors closely observed Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday’s recent contract extension. Thompson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, paid particular attention to Holiday’s four-year, $135 million extension signed with the Celtics on April 10.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 12: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors goes to the basket during the game on April 12, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Thompson, a five-time All-Star shooting guard, completed his five-year, $190 million contract with the Warriors during the 2023-24 season. Having spent his entire career with Golden State since being drafted 11th overall in 2011, Thompson faced challenges in the recent season. He struggled with consistency, posting a scoring average of 17.9 points per game, his lowest since 2013, and shooting 38.7 percent from three-point range, the second-lowest of his career. Head coach Steve Kerr even experimented with using him as a reserve in 14 games.

Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that Thompson turned down a two-year, $48 million extension from the Warriors during the 2023 offseason. With both Thompson and the Warriors taking note of Holiday’s extension, they might be considering a long-term deal instead.

Impending free agent Klay Thompson heads into uncertain summer | NBA.com

Golden State’s front office will need to consider the team’s salary cap situation, with $174 million already committed for the 2024-25 season according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Despite interest from other teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, in Thompson’s floor-spacing abilities, a long-term contract akin to Holiday’s could keep him in Golden State.