Sad news: official announced that they American star player has been suspended for 6 years today….
Klay Thompson is entering restricted free agency. The veteran sharpshooter is reportedly being pursued by multiple NBA teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.
The Golden State Warriors are expected to extend a new contract to their four-time champion in a bid to keep the veteran core together for the remainder of their careers.
According to Mark Medina, if Thompson wishes to remain with the Warriors long-term, he may need to accept a reduced role in the rotation.
That could mean eventually becoming a permanent bench contributor so that some of the younger talent on the team can begin to thrive.
If Thompson accepts that reduced role, Medina believes his defense will be paramount.
Thompson isn’t the All-Star talent he once was. Instead, he’s a reliable high-end role player who can be trusted to hit his shots, defend at a high level and make smart decisions under pressure.
The Magic don’t need a go-to scorer. They have Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero for that. Thompson would be tasked with being a floor spacer and tertiary threat.
Nevertheless, if the Magic cool their interest in Thompson, it should allow Golden State to keep one member of their veteran core for the foreseeable future.
Coleman Hawkins’ itinerary ahead of next month’s NBA draft would make even the most experienced traveler’s head spin.
He worked out for the Golden State Warriors on Thursday in San Francisco.
Then he was to surface in Sacramento on Friday and Toronto on Monday. And then Atlanta, New York, Memphis and Boston.
But his visit to Chase Center carried special significance, given his upbringing in Northern California. Hawkins grew up in suburban Sacramento and completed his high school career at Prolific Prep, the high-level basketball academy in Napa.
He also developed into a marquee college prospect right about the time the Warriors started making annual trips to the NBA Finals, reeling off three championships in four years (2015-18).
Hawkins attended one of their parades in Oakland, though he wasn’t sure whether it was 2015 or ’17.
