![Klay Thompson against the Washington Wizards (c) [Image by Keith Allison / Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/3/660x290/b_502x220x82/klay-thompson-against-the-washington-wizards-c-httpswwwflickrcomphotoskeithallison33139453286_1608735.jpg "Klay Thompson against the Washington Wizards (c) [Image by Keith Allison / Flickr]")
According to Chris Barnewall of CBS Sports, Golden State Warriors' All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson told Marcus Thompson II and Tim Kawakami of The Athletic that he is willing to sign a smaller paycheck to enable to Warriors' organization to retain their core and a few key rotational players.
Klay Thompson's average salary for the next two years is at $18.4 million; Thompson is expected to be a free-agent by the end of the 2018-2019 NBA season.
Klay Thompson's journey in the NBA
The 27-year-old shooting guard was drafted by the Golden State Warriors 11th overall during the 2011 NBA draft out of Washington State University.
Thompson has spent all of his six seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
He is a two-time NBA champion, a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA team member, and a member of the 2011-2012 All-Rookie team.
During the 2016-2017 NBA season, Klay Thompson averaged 22.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He averages 19.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game throughout his career while shooting 45.3 percent from the field, 41.9 percent from three, and 85.3 percent from the free-throw line.
What does this mean for the Golden State Warriors?
This summer, the Warriors were able to re-sign key role players like Andre Iguodala and Shawn Livingston, they were also able to lock down their core as they signed Stephen Curry to a $200 million over five years contract and Kevin Durant to a $51 million over two years contract.
After Kevin Durant took a major pay cut to re-sign with the Warriors, this statement from Klay Thompson enables the Golden State Warriors to have a little bit more of a breathing room in the salary cap department. This also gives them more flexibility on who to target during the next few NBA free agency period.
With their core staying intact, the Golden State Warriors are looking poised to dominate the NBA and have another run at the NBA championship for the next two to three NBA seasons.
Klay Thompson's commitment to the long-term plan of the Golden State Warriors is a very good news for the organization. Thompson is an excellent two-way player who can guard the opposing team's main wing offensive weapons.
With Kevin Durant's arrival to the Warriors, Thompson is now the second or third option in the Warriors' offense. But even though there is a decrease in his role in the past NBA season, Thompson was still able to produce if called upon.
