Steve Kerr: Talks with Thompson ‘difficult’ but still hopes for his return

On June 26, as the NBA free agency period draws near, Klay Thompson’s future remains uncertain. However, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has made it clear that he wants Thompson back on the team.

Tuesday, Kerr acknowledged on a show that there are business aspects to the Warriors’ negotiations with Thompson, but emphasized his desire for Thompson to remain with the franchise for the upcoming season and beyond.

“That’s just the way the NBA and professional sports work,” Kerr said. “There are always going to be difficult moments where people feel uncomfortable because it’s about money, contracts, and respect. But at the end of the day, what I know is that Klay has been an integral part of everything we’ve done here.”

“He’s obviously a multiple-time champion, but more importantly, his connection to the Bay Area, to the team, to his teammates is so strong. So we’re really hopeful that Klay comes back. I’m really hoping he comes back. We’ll have conversations, but ultimately, it’s his decision to make. But we really want him back because he’s Klay Thompson.”

Thompson has played all 10 of his seasons under Kerr, winning four NBA championships alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Last season with the Warriors, Thompson appeared in 77 games, averaging 29.7 minutes per game, scoring 17.9 points on 43.2% shooting from the field and 38.7% from three-point range, along with 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Thompson had previously expressed a willingness to retire with the only team he’s ever played for, but recent reports suggest that following uneasy negotiations, he could enter free agency and potentially seek a fresh start elsewhere. A source indicated that Thompson is looking for a contract of at least three years in length.