Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson wasn’t selected to an all-NBA team, making him ineligible to sign a five-year, $221 million supermax contract this summer in free agency.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement of 2017 allowed some veterans to earn supermax salaries, based on making an all-NBA team.
Thompson seemingly took the news in stride.
“I didn’t? It already came out?” Thompson asked reporters after practice Thursday when he learned he had just missed out on being a third-team selection. “I mean, that’s cool and all, but like when you go to five straight Finals — I respect those guys — but when you go to five straight it takes more than just a couple All-NBA guys. It’s like an all-time team, but whatever, I’d rather win a championship than be third-team All-NBA, so it’s all good.”
Thompson now will be eligible to ink a five-year deal worth $191 million, about $30 million less than he could have received had he made All-NBA. Warriors owner Joe Lacob said he is confident the team will be able to re-sign Thompson.
“I can’t control it,” Thompson said of the connection between All-NBA selection and contracts. “Do I think there’s that many guards better than me in the league? No. But that’s the reason we’re still playing, so I don’t even want to get into it, honestly.”
His backcourt teammate, Stephen Curry, was named first-team All-NBA, and Golden State forward Kevin Durant made the second team.
Also missing out on a supermax contract by not making the all-NBA team is Washington guard Bradley Beal. The Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard (second team) and the Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker (third team) now are eligible for the max contract.
–Field Level Media
