Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has given his two cents about the speculation surrounding Klay Thompson’s future as the Golden State Warriors player hits free agency this summer, urging him to resist the tempting call of the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the obvious allure of teaming up with LeBron James, Arenas believes that Thompson will turn this tempting offer down.

This is Thompson’s second full season after recovering from a string of back-to-back injuries around the 2019-21 period. As he moves closer to free agency, predictions have been making rounds about his potential destinations, with the Lakers emerging as a popular bet due to their player aspirations and star-studded roster.

Klay to the Lakers, yes or no

In a recent video for Nightcap, a sports discussion channel on YouTube, run by Shannon Sharpe, Chad Johnson, and Gilbert Arenas, Arenas was seen discussing Thompson’s free agency decision, in response to a question asked by a viewer, “Klay to the Lakers off the bench, yes or no?”.  To which Arenas replied, “The Lakers will probably take a shot for him, and I’m pretty sure he’ll start with the Lakers cause that’s the type of player LeBron loves. ” 

He’s not the first person to discuss Laker’s possible interest in Thompson. Earlier this year, sports journalist Shams Charania discussed Thompson’s possible switchover to the Lakers and how it could be extremely fruitful for the team. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis already on their side, Klay Thompson would fit right in.

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Arenas believes that even though Thompson belongs to Los Angeles, San Francisco is now his true home. He went on to say, “I don’t think Klay will leave everything he knows to come back home because technically this is not his home anymore. This is where he grew up but it’s not his home, the Bay Area is his home.”  And Arenas might be right, ever since he joined the league, the Warriors are the only team Klay Thompson has known. He, along with Steph Curry and Draymond Green created the biggest and the most successful dynasty ever in the league’s history. And this is evident with the words their HC Steve Kerr showered last night. He is desperately waiting for Klay to be back. So even when speculations might say Klay might leave the dynasty, it seems the dynasty isn’t going to part ways with him any time soon.

We need Klay back

Thompson has been shooting for the Warriors for over a decade now alongside his “Splash Brother”, Stephen Curry. His last contract with the team was signed back in 2019 when he agreed to stay on with the Warriors for another 5 years on a $190 million deal. And although he has had a rather unlucky run owing to his multiple serious injuries, Thompson has carved out a legacy for himself with the Golden State.

After the Warriors lost 118-94 to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, in what could have been possibly Thompson’s last match with the team, coach Steve Kerr said, “We need Klay back” in a post-match interview. Regardless of Thompson’s disappointing performance in the match, with him not being able to score a single point, the coach said, “He’s still got good years left. And I know I speak for everybody in the organization: We want him back. … What Klay has meant to this franchise and as good as he still is, we desperately want him back.”

But what does Thompson himself have to say about his free agency? “That’s life,” Thompson said. “Had so much success here, I’m not going to let whatever future happens make me salty about what I’ve been able to accomplish in a Warriors uniform. I don’t let that seep in at all.” Coach Steve Kerr is not the only one who wants Thompson back, Curry and Draymond Green are of the same opinion. “I don’t think there’s any scenario where Klay leaves and that’s the best decision for this team and organization,” said Green.

One thing is certain, the Warriors don’t wish to say goodbye to Thompson yet. But the Lakers are only amongst several other teams waiting to make a splash in the player’s free agency. Thompson’s contribution to the Warriors has never been in question. Throughout their history together, he has had an instrumental role in the team’s laurels alongside Curry and Green.

The pressure on Thompson to make a decision looms large. As Thompson weighs his options, fans and teams eagerly await his decision. Time is ticking for the player, will he stay loyal to the Bay Area or switch over to Los Angeles? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Gilbert Arenas has made his stance clear, urging Thompson to prioritize loyalty and legacy above all else.