NBA Rumors: Klay Thompson Tired Of Getting 'Crumbs' In Warriors Team

Klay Thompson has been missing for the Golden State Warriors during the ongoing NBA Playoffs. The shooting guard has struggled to make an impact and after 10 games, he is averaging just over 15 points while shooting 39 percent from the field and 31 percent from deep.

It is a far cry from his 21.5 points average during the regular season with 47 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc. ESPN’s NBA analyst Jay Williams spoke about Thompson looking disinterested during the latest episode of “First Take” and predicted he could leave the Warriors when he becomes a free agent later in July.

NBA Insider Stephen A. Smith partially agreed with Williams, but not with regard to Thompson’s potential departure from the Bay Area in the summer. He agreed that the shooting guard was indeed unhappy, but it was with regard to his role in the team.

Smith cited sources within the team while revealing that Thompson was indeed unhappy about his role and the number of touches he has been getting. The guard was seen as the No. 2 behind Stephen Curry but over the last couple of seasons, he has been overshadowed by the arrival of Kevin Durant.

Durant, who won the NBA Finals MVP in 2016 and 2017, is seen as the leader of the team, so much so that even Curry defers to the small forward when it comes down to the clutch. And Thompson is certain to feel left out, which could be one of the reasons he has struggled this post-season.

“I have not spoken to Klay Thompson, in fairness to Klay Thompson, let me be clear about that. I’m told Klay Thompson isn’t happy, his number hasn’t been called nearly enough, he’s tired of sitting around and getting, quote-unquote — this is a quote — the crumbs left behind by other people,” Smith said during his appearance on “First Take” on Monday.

Thompson’s unhappiness is said to be only regarding his role in the team and Smith did not suggest that the player could look to leave the Warriors during free agency in the summer. The team wants to retain all three players – Curry, Durant and Thompson – but have been told to prioritize retaining the latter of the three.

The shooting guard, who has won three titles with his current employers, has stated his desire to end his career as a Warrior and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski explained that a maximum contract offer of a five-year deal worth $190 million on July 1 will ensure Thompson remains in the Bay Area for the foreseeable future.