With the introduction of the NBA’s Designated Player Exception, get ready for a lot of way-off-in-the-distance-extension talk.
Essentially, the clause allows NBA teams to offer a fat extension to players they drafted, or players they acquired while still on their rookie deals, before they reach free agency. Hence why everyone assumes DeMarcus Cousins will re-up with the Sacramento Kings this summer, a full year before he’s slated to reach the open market.
Klay Thompson, still being on the team that drafted him, could be eligible for a such an extension down the line. And while he hasn’t really thought that far ahead, he doesn’t sound like a dude who wants to leave the Golden State Warriors anytime soon, or ever, per USA Today‘s Sam Amick:
“I try not to think that are ahead, but I’d love to be here for as long as I can. What we’ve built here is so special, and I love living in the Bay Area, so that would be a huge priority of mine … I just feel like if I play hard and work hard every day, I’ll get rewarded no matter what I do, so I’m not going to get caught up with the numbers and how much money I could potentially make because it’ll all come around. You’ve just got to stay humble and be appreciative of what I have. And if I keep working this hard, I’ll be rewarded.
“I think I was raised right, with my Dad (Mychal Thompson, the two-time champion with the Lakers and current broadcaster and radio personality) telling me not to play this game for money but play for the love of it and you’ll be rewarded … I’m happy the way NBA players get paid; we deserve it for the revenue we bring in for this league, and I’m just thankful I’m here. I know if I just keep doing what I do, I’ll be rewarded hopefully for a long time.”
Thompson is slated for free agency until 2019, so he has a ways to go before the DPE really comes into play. Assuming Defensive Player of the Year and MVP awards are out of reach for him, he’ll also need to make one All-NBA team through this season or next, so that he even qualifies.
Still, if you’re a Warriors fan, it’s good hear how happy one of your four most important players is. Now you just have to hope that insane luxury-tax penalties don’t ever compel Golden State to smash up its Core Four.
