The Golden State Warriors have until Oct. 31 to come to terms on an extension with shooting guard Klay Thompson. After Thompson, 24, was officially ruled untouchable in trade talks for Kevin Love with the Minnesota Timberwolves, it would appear as if an extension would be in the team's best interest.
However, as of Thursday morning, it appears that Thompson and the Warriors are still $2-3 million a year apart, according to Monte Poole of CSNBayArea.com.
"The dithering seems pointless when all parties consistently state their desire for a deal," Poole adds. "The Warriors want it. Thompson wants it. His teammates want it. And there is no indication Klay's agent, Bill Duffy, has lost the optimism he expressed last month.
"Thompson is seeking a max deal, or something close - at least $15 million per year - while the Warriors, according to sources, hover around $13 million per."
Stephen Curry's extension from several years ago now looks like a bargain after improved health and a leap in performance for the young guard. Golden State is hoping another step forward in production is in Thompson's future.
Poole points out that Thompson has some additional leverage in negotiations. The fourth-year guard had several impressive performances during USA's gold medal winning campaign in the FIBA World Cup tournament this summer. Plus, lucrative contracts have been given to comparable players such as Gordon Hayward (four years, $63 million) and Chandler Parsons (three years, $46 million) this offseason.
The Warriors finished sixth in the Western Conference last season with a record of 51-31.
