Warriors Owner Explains Plans For Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson In Free Agency

The Golden State Warriors have no plans to give up on Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, despite the former being constantly linked with a move to New York Knicks when he enters free agency in July. Team owner Joe Lacob reiterated the team’s desire to re-sign both the players in the summer but the current focus remains on winning a third straight NBA championship after booking their place in the finals Monday night.

The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami corresponded with the Warriors owner via text after the team’s Western Conference triumph about his plan to pay whatever it takes to keep the current team together or if there had been a change in recent weeks.

"The season is still ongoing," Lacob responded to Kawakami’s text, as quoted on Bleacher Report. “We are not finished. I have no new ideas or data for you. We love Klay and KD and intend to attempt to re-sign them. Period. I am confident about BOTH of them. But it is their choice to do what is best for them. They have earned that right. Our goal is to keep our team together. We are pretty good."

Durant has played his cards close to his chest and has not revealed his intentions for after he enters free agency, but if NBA insiders are to be believed, a deal with the Knicks has already been agreed. The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers have also been mentioned as potential destinations, as they are the three teams with maximum salary cap space going into the summer. It is unlikely any decision will be revealed before July 1 when the offseason officially begins.

Thompson, on the other hand, has been clear about his desire to remain a Warrior for the rest of his career. The shooting guard’s father Mychal Thompson, who played for the Lakers, has also stated on multiple occasions that his son does not see a reason to leave the Bay Area team with whom he has won three NBA championships.

"If you are happy with where you are at, if you are comfortable and this is where you want to be, just stay right where you are. There's no reason to go looking for anything else if you are happy and content of where you already are at, which he definitely is. He loves the Bay Area, loves playing for the Warriors," Mychal told Stephen A. Smith after Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

The 29-year-old will not be short of suitors when he enters free agency in July and there have been reports suggesting Thompson could consider walking away if the Warriors do not offer him a max contract and decide to give more attention to retaining Durant.