Warriors’ Klay Thompson on Trade Deadline Rumors: ‘I Don’t Partake in NBA Discourse’
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Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson isn’t concerned about trade rumors involving his name as the league’s trade deadline of Thursday at 3 p.m. ET rapidly approaches.
“I don’t partake in NBA discourse,” Thompson told reporters when asked about those trade rumors following his team’s 127-104 win at the Philadelphia 76ers. “I think that’s a waste of energy.”
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Klay Thompson on the deadline rumors: “I don’t partake in NBA discourse.”
-On his desire to be with the Warriors long term: “That is correct. Good assessment.”
-On his belief in this team: “I see Steph Curry. I see Draymond. I go home and check our playoff record.” pic.twitter.com/tMe2IH5MCy
It’s been a tough season for the franchise legend, who has won four NBA championships and made five All-Star teams during his 13 seasons in Golden State.
The 34-year-old is shooting a career-low 41.5 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range. His 17.1 points per game are his lowest mark since 2012-13.
In addition, Thompson didn’t close out the Warriors’ 109-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, capping a three-game stretch where he shot just 4-of-25 from three-point range.
He did enjoy a solid game versus the 76ers, though, scoring 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting (4-of-5 from three) with the team finishing plus-24 with him on the floor.
The impending free agent’s name landed in trade talk recently when Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back reported on Jan. 11 that “everyone but Stephen Curry is on the table” in regards to the struggling team weighing its options.
Run It Back @RunItBackFDTV
“The mindset in Golden State right now is everyone but Steph Curry is on the table.”@ShamsCharania on the Golden State Warriors.
Charania did note, however, that it’s been the Warriors’ hope to reach a contract extension with Thompson.
That hasn’t happened, but barring a seismic surprise, it doesn’t appear Thompson is headed anywhere.
There hasn’t been any legitimate trade rumors and speculation regarding a potential Thompson move of late, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also reported on SportsCenter that the team has “no interest” in trading either Thompson or Draymond Green.
Thompson likely isn’t going anywhere, but the question now is what the Warriors do otherwise. Golden State sits 23-25, 11th in the Western Conference and outside the play-in picture. It’ll be a battle for Golden State just to make the playoffs, and it’s fair to wonder if the roster as currently constructed is capable of doing that.
So the time to watch is 3 p.m. ET Thursday, marking this year’s trade deadline. The Warriors, undoubtedly, will be a team to monitor as it looms.
