Let’s be realistic, he isn’t worth the 30m max he is capable of. I think his agent, his team and himself know this. Maybe if he hits free agency a team like Charlotte or Sacramento or some deathtown would give him a full max, but why would he want that? 50m is a lot to lay on the table, so with him doing the warriors a favor I expect him to leave less than what. Maybe like 35m? Starting salary around 24-25m with increases sounds about right tbh.
They know if they stick together, life will be easy for them and they'll win more championships. Why go through adversity if you don't need to?
I want everyone that is mad about his pay cut to be mad if Chris or Capela also take pay cuts. I just want you all to be consistent in your hate. I dislike the Warriors and especially dislike Durant, but they actually built this team from the ground up. The only real luck was having a massive amount to of cap space when Durant became available, but Durant was a b**** for going to an elite team. If Klay wants to take a pay cut to continue winning and to stay with the organization that drafted him, then so be it. I'm sure he is content not having to play for a shitty organization and being the face of that franchise. I hate it, but if the dude thinks he is set financially, I can see why he is cool taking the pay cut.
The other variable though is he already has won 2 titles, perhaps 3. Where as Caplea has won 0, perhaps 1 this year. I am not blaming Thompson for staying though. That is his own decision.
Klay was raised rich/wealthy so money has never been a concern for him. His father was an NBA player.
I get taking somewhat of a pay cut. $50 million, though? Why can't the Warriors owners just suck it up and pay some luxury tax to keep their super team going? Why do we laud the player for making the sacrifice and not the even richer owners?
Capela won't be taking a pay cut. Not unless he specifically signs with Houston and doesn't get an offer sheet first. CP3 has made his money, and its understandable to take a paycut here to continue to be competitive. Klay has not made his money, and is likely to command far more money than that.
I'd rather Klay leave. He's the better player in my opinion. If Klay is talking about taking a $50 million paycut, I find it hard to believe that the four stars of that team haven't sat down and discussed ways to keep that core together for the next six seasons. Dray would probably take a paycut as well. He is under contract for another season after Klay though, so we would have to deal with GS winning for another season regardless. If they all stick together, I don't see a single team beating them for the next five years at least. Very, very lame for guys like Klay and Dray to sacrifice money to allow billionaires to keep it instead.
He's already won multiple rings, it is time to get paid!! He isn't getting the endorsement money some of those other guys are getting that take pay cuts.
Exclusive: Warriors, Klay Thompson talk contract extension -- a team-friendly deal that would keep him off the market, via @ThompsonScribe
Well that's where the issue lies, the billionaires would most like NOT pay, because it would reach they luxury tax point where its not worth it, so its either players taking less or players playing elsewhere, its really up to them and theres no way around it.
Is he really leaving 50mil on the table? There's probably some backdoor deal he get for taking a paycut.
