Klay Opens Up About Possible Discount: ‘100 Percent, It'd Be Different If…'

Klay Thompson is not scheduled to hit the market until the summer of 2019, but his free agency is already a topic of discussion.

Last Friday, he told Tim Kawakami and Marcus Thompson of The Athletic that he "probably could" take a discount and sign a contract below the max.

[POOLE: Simple as to why Klay Thompson would consider taking a discount]

And on Wednesday in China, the three-time All-Star was asked more questions about his future.

"We're talking like 24 months away," Thompson told reporters (quotes from Mark Medina of the Bay Area News Group). "But it's something that definitely crossed my mind, especially when you see guys like Kevin (Durant) doing it.

"100 percent, it'd be different if I was making scraps off the court. But I've been very blessed to be a part of winning team. When you're part of a winning team, everybody gets to eat.

"So that's why I'm indebted to the guys around me. Without them, I would not have the deals that I have."

In late June, Thompson's representatives negotiated a new contract with Anta.

The deal runs through 2026 and could be worth as much as $80 million in total, according to Nice Kicks' Nick DePaula.

The original deal Thompson signed back in 2014 was for six years at a reported $2 million annually.

The 27-year old also has sponsorship agreements with BODYARMOR Sports Drink and Built with Chocolate Milk.

"I'm obviously all for guys getting as much as they can while they have the opportunity to play because this career goes by quick," Steph Curry said from China. "But the beauty we have here is guys have the opportunity and what we want to continue to have is guys have the choice to do what they feel so right for the betterment of the team and themselves.

"That's not always the case around the NBA. So it's a direct reflection of what we've been able to create here and the success we've had and how much more success we want to have."

Said Steve Kerr: "We have a special group ... our guys know how special this era is. I think that's the main thing Klay is trying to express. This is a pretty special era. We know this isn't going to last for a long time. We'd like to be part of it and also know how special it is to be a part of it.

"That means more than money. That doesn't mean you're going to give up everything. But you do what you can to make a living and make the best living you can and best life that you can. Whatever balance that is, that's what guys are going to do."

In October 2014, Thompson signed a 4-year extension with the Warriors worth just below $69 million.

Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders and a Web Producer at NBC Sports Bay Area. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller

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