Even while in Turkey helping promote the NBA, Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson was asked about trade rumors.
With Minnesota star forward Kevin Love appearing likely to put on the trading block, the Warriors are seen as one of the teams that will place a bid. In return, the Timberwolves are expected to ask for a lot in return, and that’s where talents like Thompson and forward Harrison Barnes come into play.
Thompson told Turkish blogger Mete Aktas on Friday that he’s used to hearing the rumors, adding, “Your job is never secure in this league unless your name is LeBron James or Steph Curry.”
Asked if he could see his future being at Golden State and if would remain there, Thompson said (in translation), “I hope that happens, but it is a fact that you never know what will happen in the NBA.”
Barnes indicated in San Francisco on Thursday that he was well aware of the rumors.
“It’s one of those things where if you feed into it, you can go crazy,” Barnes said. “For me, I just worry about the team that I’m on. I’ll worry about the Warriors. I’ll worry about getting better, and if I’m traded, then I’ll approach that obstacle when it comes. But to me, you never want to go into the mindset like you’ll be traded.”
Thompson, who finished his third professional season with career-highs of 18.4 points per game and a 41.7 shooting percentage from 3-point range, has high hopes for the coming years. Asked where he saw himself in five years, Thompson said his goals were to play in several All-Star games, win an NBA championship, and win a gold medal with Team USA.
Thompson told Aktas he was “shocked” by the firing of coach Mark Jackson, but was confident in Steve Kerr after speaking to the new coach.
“He told me that he doesn’t want to change much on the offense since we have a good thing going,” Thompson said.
Asked on Sirius XM about the coaching situation, Thompson said, “The thing about the Warriors is, we want to win. Steve I know is going to take us there, and we’re only going to get better.”
