Klay Thompson entered free agency on a horrific note, and he knew it.
The four-time champion finished with zero points in 32 minutes of play in the Warriors’ 118-94 loss to the Kings in their 9-10 play-in game on Tuesday.
It was his first scoreless game since he was a rookie in 2011, and the fifth time he went without a field goal in his career, per ESPN.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots over Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) in the fourth quarter during a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at the Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after missing a shot against the Sacramento Kings in the second half during the Play-In Tournament at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2024 in Sacramento, California. Getty ImagesThompson, 34, was 0-for-10 shooting, including 0-for-6 from 3 at Golden 1 Center, where he potentially played his final game in a Warriors jersey.
He averaged 17.9 points per game and shot 38.7 percent from 3 in the regular season.
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The five-time All-Star didn’t speak with reporters after the season-ending loss.
Charles Barkley predicted a bleak future for Thompson while NBA on TNT aired a graphic that read: “BYE BYE WARRIORS.”
It included Golden State’s 46-36 record and that they were the 10th seed in the Western Conference.
“He’s not gonna get better,” the Hall of Famer said on TNT. “He’s gonna make less money but he ain’t gonna get no better. Older people don’t get — sports ain’t for old people. They’re for young people, that’s no disrespect.
“Klay is a Hall of Famer, but he’s lowered his number, but just because he’s lowered his number doesn’t mean he’s going to play better as he ages. It doesn’t work like that.”
Barkley went on to explain that the Warriors are “in serious trouble” because they will have to “make a hard decision” on Thompson’s future in the Bay.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Gary Payton II (0) walk towards the locker room after the Warriors lost to the Sacramento Kings during a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at the Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2024. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports“Klay is not going to get young,” Barkley said. “Do you sign him for three or four more years — which he won’t. That’s the elephant in the room because they gotta make a decision on him. Listen, we all love Klay and Klay wants a max deal. He’s not going to get a max deal.
“But you see he’s compromised because of the ACL and the Achilles. Do you still sign him to three or four years what he wants? How can you get younger if you’re going to sign him?”
Then, Kenny Smith suggested that Thompson “could play better in a second unit role.”
Warriors guards Klay Thompson, second from left, and Stephen Curry, second from right, on the bench during the second half of their NBA basketball play-in tournament game against the Kings April 16, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. APWarriors head coach Steve Kerr explained that they “need Klay back” next season.
“He’s still got good years left,” Kerr said after the game. “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.”
Thompson headed to the bench with 2:13 remaining and was visibly somber as he hugged teammates and trainers.
After the final buzzer, Thompson was seen taking a pause and looking around before he left the court.
Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors walks off the court after losing to the Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2024 in Sacramento, California. Getty ImagesThe Warriors’ dynasty might be near the end as questions arise about potentially splitting the veteran trio in Thompson, Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
Golden State is now 0-3 all-time in play-in tournament games, having lost twice in 2021.
They have one playoff series win since their 2022 championship.
