Richard Jefferson shared a really fascinating story about Klay Thompson and his desired Warriors contract.
Jefferson and Thompson crossed paths again in December, when the longtime Golden State guard voiced his frustration in regards to the then-only staff of his whole 13-year NBA profession. Right here’s the remainder from Jefferson on ESPN’s newest episode of “NBA As we speak.”
“I by no means have shared this earlier than out of respect to Klay,” Jefferson mentioned Monday. “Getting off an elevator on Christmas Day of this previous 12 months, I see Klay, ‘Oh, Klay. What’s up?’ He says, ‘What’s up?’ I’m like, ‘Hey, man. Hold your mentals proper.’ He’s like, ‘Man, inform them to pay me my cash.’”
“That is on Christmas Day [of this season] … I get off the elevator and I see Klay [and say], ‘Klay, what’s up? Hey man, maintain your mentals proper.’ He is like, ‘Man, inform ’em to pay me my cash.’ … He has a proper to be mad.”
– Richard Jefferson 😳pic.twitter.com/vGTTdoVvAj
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 2, 2024
On Dec. 25, Golden State suffered a 120-114 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Area.
Jefferson didn’t specify when the dialog with the now-former Warriors guard occurred, however Thompson did end the sport 3-for-12 with 9 factors, six rebounds and one help — and he seemingly wasn’t joyful earlier than or after.
Whereas many are divided about whether or not Thompson or the Warriors drove the dreaded break up to fruition, Jefferson was clear about who he helps.
“This was on Christmas Day,” Jefferson mentioned. “So on Christmas Day, a man that has received 4 championships — and I don’t give a rattling how a lot cash [Golden State] gave him over time as a result of he turned their franchise round. That franchise is value billions of {dollars}.
“Not simply due to Steph, it’s additionally due to Klay. They modified the sport. It wasn’t simply Steph altering the sport, it was Steph and Klay in that backcourt. So I say [Klay] has a proper to be mad.”
Jefferson clearly has Thompson’s again, and he has for some time.
The 2, in fact, have been Warriors teammates throughout Thompson’s first two seasons starting in 2011-12.
Thompson’s departure seemingly shocked Dub Nation and the better NBA world, however as extra info comes out, it seems No. 11 by no means was going to be with Golden State for the 2024-25 NBA season.
As Jefferson recalled, Thompson actually did need his cash. And he was prepared to modify sides to get it.
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