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“Look at Lebron [James]”: Klay Thompson’s Father Provides Honest Opinion About His Son’s NBA Future, Days Before Warriors Owner’s Hesitation

Published 09/03/2023, 3:45 PM EDT

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Age is one of the biggest barriers for athletes, especially in basketball, where one needs all the stamina and strength they can garner. The 33-year-old shooting guard, Klay Thompson, had a rough couple of years, suffering injuries back to back. Such injuries often lead athletes to end their journey too soon or deliver below-par performances. However, that is not the case for the Golden State Warriors guard. Despite the injuries, he was averaging 21.6 points this NBA season. While this is not his best score yet, he is still back on the court after suffering consecutive injuries. Just as his five-year contract with GSW comes to a close, Klay’s father shares his stance on his son’s NBA future.

During an interview with Mark Medina of Sportskeeda, Mychal Thompson opened up about his son’s longevity in the NBA. At just 33 years old, Thomson suffered two devastating injuries. He missed the whole 2019 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. An Achilles tendon rupture in his right leg only a year later forced him to sit out for yet another season.

How long will Klay Thompson play before he retires?

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When asked how much longer he wants to see his son play, he definitely has long-term goals in mind. He cited Klay’s fellow players as a source of inspiration for him to stay fit and play the game until at least 40.

He said, “We talk about it all the time. I say, ‘Look at LeBron [James] as an example.’ LeBron is going to be 39, but he has the body of a 29-year-old because of his workouts and his work ethic. Reggie Miller retired when he was 40. John Stockton, the same thing. There have been a bunch of guys that have played into their late 30s or close to 40 at a high level”.

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He continued, “But I told him, ‘Play until you’re 40 because this will be the sweetest life you have in the NBA. So take advantage of it while your body allows you to do it.’ Don’t quit too soon. But you have to put the work in to have that longevity the same way that LeBron and Steph do it”.

USA Today via Reuters

Mychal’s advice to his son surely makes sense, as LeBron, at 39, will enter his 21st NBA season. He is one of the greatest players to walk on earth and maintains that reputation even at this age. Just four years younger than him, Stephen Curry does not plan on retiring anytime soon. The secret sauce to their longevity and excellent performance is their strong workout routine and strict work ethic.

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Will Joe Lacob extend Thompson’s contract?

With Klay Thompson’s five-year, $190 million Warriors contract due next July, there is a lot of uncertainty about his future. Warrior’s owner, Joe Lacob, has expressed his desire to extend his contract. However, it is unclear whether they would go with their shooting guard given the recent financial commitments made by the franchise.

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Watch this story: After Stephen Curry and Draymond Green’s Contract Extension, Warriors Owner Gets Real About Klay Thompson’s Future: “We’ll See…”

The Golden State Warriors are gearing up for title contention with their strategic play. Joe Lacob has meticulously crafted the team to lead the franchise to its eighth championship ring.

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Written by:

Darshita Daga

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Darshita Daga is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing Bachelor’s in English, she’s a fervent sports enthusiast with a keen interest in sports journalism, specifically covering the NBA. She feels that words have the potential to capture the spirit of a game, evaluate moves, and portray the emotions that occur both on and off the court.
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Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja