Dunleavy declares Warriors ‘want Klay back,’ believes desire is mutual and originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy on Thursday joined the club founded two days earlier by Steve Kerr, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry.
The “Keep Klay Thompson Club” – with the idea of preserving the core that has won four NBA Finals – now has four members who matter among Golden State’s decision-makers.
“Well, considering they won four [championships] previously I would say this is well within reason,” Dunleavy said. “But we have to, you know, definitely want Klay back first and foremost. I told him that yesterday. Our players have expressed that, our coach, front office, ownership.
“Look, everyone wants Klay back.”
“Sure, we want Klay back. I told him that yesterday.’
Mike Dunleavy says nothing makes him believe Klay wants to go elsewhere or that the Warriors won’t re-sign him pic.twitter.com/v9V7w8hWe8
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 18, 2024
Thompson, 34, will become an unrestricted free agent in July. He was drafted by the Warriors in 2011 and has shared the backcourt with Curry, the team’s longtime franchise player, throughout his career.
But there are indications – followed by significant speculation – that Thompson wants to remain a Warriors, even if he is open to signings on the open market.
The GM is not only on board with Klay’s return, but also optimistic about making it happen.
“I think it’s a mutual feeling,” Dunleavy said. “The man has been here for a long time. He means so much to the organization. We really appreciate him very much. So there’s nothing that makes me think he wants to go somewhere else, or that we don’t want him back. That’s why I’m hopeful that we can make this happen.”
‘But it’s an agreement. Both parties must deal with it well. And we’re going to work through that.”
Kerr expressed a similar desire Tuesday night in the immediate aftermath of Golden State’s season-ending play-in tournament loss to the Kings in Sacramento. A few minutes later, Green came to the podium with the same hope. Curry, the last of the Warriors to speak, also made his pitch.
One thing is certain: a huge roster decision like this will ultimately be made by Warriors CEO Joe Lacob and Dunleavy.
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