Steiny: If I was Klay, I wouldn’t take less than Draymond

NBA free agency is set to swing open at the end of the month, which means the Warriors’ biggest question will be answered. Will Klay Thompson re-sign with Golden State?

The cost has always been the question. Is it $20 million per year? $25 million? $30 million? How much of the tax are the Warriors willing to face?

Those are all questions for the Warriors. But for Thompson himself, Matt Steinmetz thinks there’s one important question that he has the answer to. Should Klay Thompson take less per year than Draymond Green? No.

“Draymond Green signed a four-year, $100 million deal last offseason, he's got a player option for that last year,” Steinmetz said. “Draymond's making about $25 million. Here's my question. After everything this team's been through for 12 years, Steph, Klay, Draymond, 12 years. Can you really not pay Klay Thompson as much as you're paying Draymond Green? I'm sorry, if I'm Klay Thompson, I can't take less money than Draymond Green…

“I would have trouble taking less than Draymond Green if I'm Klay Thompson. So if I'm Klay Thompson, I'm like, here's how I'll come back. Give me three for $75 [million] and give me a player option that last year. Then I'm good to go. Other than that, I think it's gonna be tough for him. I really do. I don't understand how you can look at both those guys now and say, ‘Well, Draymond's gonna make 20 percent more for the rest of his career than Klay Thompson.’”

We should have the answer to the question of what the Warriors are willing to offer Thompson within the next two weeks. Listen to the full segment above.