In a recent appearance on Golden State Warriors teammate Draymond Green’s podcast, Klay Thompson hinted at the possibility of leaving the Dubs in free agency this summer. The five-time All-Star pointed to his “mental health” as a crucial factor in his upcoming decision on whether or not he will move on to greener pastures in the offseason after a decade in the Bay Area.
According to ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith, this is Thompson’s way of saying goodbye.
Golden State Warriors News: ‘The End Is Near’ for Klay Thompson, Per Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. picked up quite a lot from Klay and Draymond’s conversation. Speaking on Tuesday’s episode of First Take, the renowned analyst voiced out his belief that this is Thompson’s way of bidding farewell to the Warriors:
“And so, I got that from listening to them yesterday, a little bit, and hearing what Klay was saying and why, it’s almost like they’re reminiscing,” Smith said (h/t Andy Lindquist of Yahoo Sports). “You know when a guy is speaking like that, it’s like paying homage to each other and what you’ve accomplished. You do that when you feel that the end is near.”
"It's an indication that the end is near, and they know it."
—@stephenasmith on the Warriors' big three. pic.twitter.com/hl0QWdGJe8
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 9, 2024
For what it’s worth, Thompson was quite emotional during his conversation with Green, which leads you to believe that Smith might just be onto something here.
Stephen A. Wants Klay Thompson on Knicks
Smith then went on to say that if Thompson, who is currently playing out the final year of his contract with the Dubs, does enter free agency this summer, there will not be a shortage of interest in him from opposing teams.
Stephen A. also believes that his New York Knicks should force themselves into the conversation:
“I think that when you look at Klay Thompson, this is his way of saying goodbye, preparing himself for the end in Golden State,” Smith said. “Let me assure you, there’s at least 20-25 teams that should want Klay Thompson. And let me raise my hand, those New York Knicks should be one of them.
“… But let me tell you something, if Klay Thompson were in a New York Knicks uniform, I would throw a house party.”
.@stephenasmith wants to see Klay Thompson in a Knicks uniform 😯 pic.twitter.com/Fze5NDM8e4
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 9, 2024
Whatever the case might be, it’s going to be a very interesting summer for Klay Thompson.
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