Warriors Profile: Klay Thompson's Return From ACL Injury Is Big Unknown

Editor's note: The Warriors' roster looks completely different than it did at this time last year. Golden State enters a new era at Chase Center with an injured Klay Thompson and without dynasty mainstays Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. As the Warriors' offseason goes on, we'll do a profile on every player on the revamped roster. Wednesday's edition focuses on Thompson.

Contract

Five-year, $189,903,600 

Last Season

Though one of the best shooters in NBA history, Thompson struggled through the first half of his eighth season. Despite a record-setting 52-point performance against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 29, when he hit a league-record 14 3-pointers, Thompson shot just 43.9 percent from the field, including just 34.4 percent from 3-point range through Dec. 31. 

Thompson found his game in the New Year, averaging 22.1 points on 49.6 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from 3-point range over his last 40 games. 

Thompson's late-season surge carried over to the playoffs as he averaged 20.7 points, shooting 44.3 percent from 3-point range. His best performance came in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, but it proved to be his last of the season.

After scoring 28 points on 12 shots and helping Golden State build a five-point lead on the Toronto Raptors, Thompson tore his ACL following a dunk late in the third quarter. After getting carried off the court, he returned to shoot two free throw, before heading to the locker room, leaving the arena before the Raptors claimed their first title in franchise history. 

Outlook

After tearing his ACL, Thompson is expected to miss most of the 2019-20 season. While the injury could have a return date of six to eight months, Thompson says he wants to take his time during his rehab. 

"I don't want to rush it because I want to play until I'm 38, 39, 40 years old," Thompson told ESPN last month. "That's my plan, especially with the way I can shoot the ball. I'd love to see the floor this season. Don't know when that is. I doubt it's before the All-Star break. But at some point, it will be a goal of mine."

[RELATED: Watch Klay rehab with help of Rocco]

With Kevin Durant leaving for the Brooklyn Nets, Anthony Davis teaming LeBron James and the Lakers, and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George joining the Clippers, winning the championship won't be a given for the Dubs. Still, Thompson believes Golden State has a shot. 

"To say the dynasty is over is a little ignorant because I'm going to come back better and even more athletic," Thompson told ESPN. "It would not be smart to count the Dubs out."

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