Report: Klay Thompson's relationship with Warriors ownership 'has suffered some strain'

The upcoming offseason might be the most significant of Klay Thompson's storied career. A free agent in July, Thompson could conceivably be donning non-Warriors colors next season, an outcome nobody would have predicted when he won his fourth championship with Golden State less than two years ago.

The likelihood of Thompson changing teams was broached by The Athletic's Sam Amick, who recently suggested that the sharpshooter had a bit of a falling out with Warriors ownership when he reportedly turned down a two-year $48 million extension before the start of the 2023-24 season. 

According to Amick, former Warriors boss Bob Myers' departure has created "a communication gap of sorts between Thompson and Warriors owner Joe Lacob behind the scenes" even as Lacob has publicly maintained his intention to retain Thompson despite daunting luxury tax ramifications. 

"It's clear their relationship has suffered some strain along the way, with league sources indicating that Thompson has received no assurances from on high that his hopes of retiring happily in a Warriors jersey someday will be a shared priority this summer," Amick wrote. "Both sides, it seems clear, have no clarity about what might happen when that time rolls around."

For years, it was believed Thompson, Curry and Draymond Green -- the winningest trio in NBA Finals history -- would ride off into the sunset as Warriors. While Thompson's potential departure has cast doubt over that storybook ending, Curry still believes his fellow Splash Brother is a Warrior for life. 

"A hundred percent," Curry told ESPN's Malika Andrews during NBA All-Star weekend when asked about that potential outcome. "I think that's always been a motivator for us, and I think the way that we talk about it is we not only want to end our career as a Warrior, continue to compete at a high level, but you want to end it the right way."

If Thompson does decide to test free agency, the Orlando Magic have been "increasingly mentioned as a potential suitor," according to NBA insider Marc Stein.