Klay Thompson 'Cared' About All-NBA Snub, Unconcerned About $30 Million Deficit

Klay Thompson missed out on the All-NBA selection this season after being voted as the eighth best guard in the league and his initial reaction suggested that he did not care about not being selected in the team. But ahead of the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors shooting guard made it clear that he really wanted to be part of the 15 players selected in the three All-NBA teams.

The six-time NBA All-Star made an appearance on ESPN’s “The Jump” ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Toronto where one of the analysts, former NBA star Tracy McGrady, said: "Now I know you don't care about being snubbed on the All-NBA team."

This was in reference to Thompson telling reporters immediately after the selections were made that he did not care too much, as he rates winning NBA championships more than being selected in the All-NBA teams. However, on Wednesday, the Warriors guard made it clear he was hoping to be selected this season, saying: "Oh, I cared.”

The non-selection in the All-NBA team in 2019 cost Thompson $30 million in potential wages when he enters free agency later this July. The three-time NBA champion can now only hope for a five-year deal worth $190 million rather than being eligible for a supermax deal worth $221 million over five years.

Thompson was not concerned about leaving money on the table as he revealed it was “an honor thing” to make the team. He wants to “build his resume” and join the likes of Ray Allen, Reggie Miller and Chris Mullin, who made multiple All-NBA teams during their careers playing in the same position as Thompson.

"The money's nice, but I'm just trying to build a résumé," Thompson told ESPN. "And I see some other guys who played my position growing up, you know, the Ray Allens, Reggie Miller, Chris Mullin -- I try to be in that mold. They made, you know, three, four All-NBA teams -- I'm trying to get to that level. And it didn't happen this year, but hopefully, go to another Finals next year and it might happen then."

"But I just wanted to make that team so badly just because it's a huge honor thing, you know. Being recognized as a top-15 player in the best basketball league in the world, that's amazing. But like I said before, the opportunity to win a championship is greater," he added.