Earlier today, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski explained that he believes the Golden State Warriors are "bracing for possibly seismic change" this summer, as All Stars Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson are set to become free agents. To that end, the Warriors will reportedly prioritize signing Thompson over Durant, amid reports that KD already has one foot out the door.
During Monday's episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith explained that "some of the elite in the game" have strongly advised the Warriors to prioritize signing Klay, or he could consider signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kevin Durant: Report">Harry How/Getty Images
Says Stephen A. (H/T Bleacher Report):
"We all know that KD is All-World, but Golden State is not really prioritizing him: A, because KD's his own man, he's going to make whatever decision he's going to make. And they believe whether he elects to stay or go, what else can they do for him? They've got a first-class organization. They're moving into a state-of-the-art new facility."
"They know that he commands the max, so they'd give it to him, etc. He's going to make the decision. But I also have been told that they have been advised, strongly I might add, by some of the elite in the game, Hall of Famers as executives and players: Prioritize Klay Thompson. In other words, offer Klay Thompson every penny that you can. If you short-change him in any way in free agency, he will consider departing. Probably for the Clippers more so than anybody else."
"We need to keep our eyes on that, even though I'm told by Golden State there's no way in hell they're going to do that. They're going to keep the Splash Brothers together."
Wojnarowski notes that the Warriors are surely prepared to give Thompson the max contract (five-years, $190 million) he desires on July 1. But if they hesitate, Woj claims that the Clippers are, in fact, the team to watch out for.
"If they come with a five-year, $190 million max deal for Klay Thompson, that's done on July 1—he's going into the new building with Steph Curry," Wojnarowski said Monday on Get Up! (H/T Bleacher Report). "If they try to do anything less than that, you can expect Klay Thompson to be out in free agency. Watch not for the Lakers then, but the Clippers."