Klay Thompson will 'prioritize mental health' in impending free agency

For most players in the NBA, especially aging journeymen fighting to survive in an uber-competitive league, a contract year could be a nerve-wracking experience. However, when you're Klay Thompson, you're Warriors royalty and almost assured to be fiscally "taken care of" by the franchise you helped win four championships. At least that was the assumption made by most insiders covering the Warriors. 

Then the 2023-24 season happened. Thompson went to the bench for the first time since 2012, causing several analysts to call for the Warriors to trade him before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. For the first time in his storied career, there were questions about Thompson's future as a Warrior. It was a feeling he had never experienced through 12 seasons in the Bay. He was no longer Warriors royalty. 

On a recent episode of "The Draymond Green Show," Thompson admitted that facing adversity in a contract year has changed his outlook toward free agency and his basketball mortality.

"I was actually struggling with that a lot at the beginning of this year because of the unknown," Thompson said. "I might have let contract situations or playing time or making up excuses...rather than just appreciating what is in front of me. It took me and Steve [Kerr] like four real heart-to-heart talks to finally break my shell, being like, 'You know what? I gotta have fun this year, I deserve to have fun.'"

The Washington State alumni stressed that the newfound perspective has made him appreciate his limited time in the league, and could factor into his free agency decision. 

"Yes, I want to re-sign with the Dubs, but I also have to prioritize my mental health and lay out what is important to me at this point of my career. I know we have so much basketball ahead that I haven't given it much thought."

Thompson will become a free agent on July 1. While the Magic are reportedly expected to offer him "a ton of money," other teams such as the Sixers, Jazz and Hornets are projected to have the most cap space.