Klay Thompson Irritated By All-NBA Snub, Loses 5-Year $221 Million Deal

Klay Thompson was not a happy man after Golden State Warriors’ practice session Thursday, when he was informed that he did not make the first, second or third All-NBA teams this season. Apart from the prestige of being among the best in the league, he also misses out on the possibility of earning a supermax contract this summer.

The Warriors shooting guard is preparing to play in his fifth straight NBA Finals and played a key role in helping his team beat the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. But Thompson received the eighth most votes among guards for the All-NBA team.

The top six vote-getters among the guards were – James Harden, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook and Kemba Walker. The other drawback about missing out on the All-NBA team is, Thompson would be leaving over $30 million on the table when he enters free agency this summer.

The selection to one of the All-NBA teams would have made him eligible for a five-year supermax deal worth $221 million. But his options now greatly reduce in value; the best offer Warriors can now make is a five-year deal worth $189.7 million.

Thompson, who is expected to re-sign with the Warriors in the summer, reacted like he did not care, but was clearly miffed at the non-selection. The guard went on to claim that he would rather win a championship ring than make the third All-NBA team.

"I didn't? It already came out?" Thompson said speaking to reporters after Thursday practice. "I mean, that's cool and all, but like when you go to five straight Finals -- I respect those guys -- but when you go to five straight it takes more than just a couple All-NBA guys. It's like an all-time team, but whatever, I'd rather win a championship than be third-team All-NBA, so it's all good."

Thompson was adamant that he was among the six best guards in the league at the moment, but did not want to continue talking about him missing out on the All-NBA selection. He also spoke about his lack of control about the connection between the selection and contracts.

"I can't control it," Thompson added. "Do I think there's that many guards better than me in the league? No. But that's the reason we're still playing, so I don't even want to get into it, honestly."

Thompson has three options going into free agency in the summer. The first is a five-year $189.7 million with the Warriors, the second is also with the Warriors but a four-year deal worth $146.5 million and the third with another franchise, which will be worth $140.6 million over four years.