The Golden State Warriors relented when faced with the option of trading Klay Thompson to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a package for Kevin Love, a clear sign that the team had plans to retain him. The only remaining question: For how much?
As of Thursday, the Warriors and Thompson remain $2-3 million per year apart in contract negotiations, according to CSNBayArea.com. Golden State has 22 days before the Oct. 31 deadline to offer Thompson a contract extension. He can be signed for up to five years.
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Thompson is seeking a max contract from the Warriors, which would pay at least $15 million, but the team's offer is more in the $13 million range, CSNBayArea.com reports. It is within Thompson's right to ask for a max contract based on players such as Dallas' Chandler Parsons and Utah's Gordon Hayward pulling in max deals.
The Wolves were intent on offering Thompson a max contract if it received him in a trade, according to CSNBayArea.com. Golden State, on the other hand, wants to avoid the luxury tax and will be near the salary cap threshold even if it does pay Thompson $13 million.