Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson has had a big offseason. After tearing his left ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, his surgery was put on hold pending a reduction in swelling. During that time, he was spotted in Los Angeles — using a cane and buying flowers.
But before going under the knife, Thompson signed a five-year, $190 million max deal with Warriors, with a 15% trade kicker worth $28.5 million — roughly the difference on the $221 million supermax contract he didn’t qualify for on paper but apparently qualifies for in the hearts and minds of the Warriors front office.
Subsequent weeks brought us #RehabKlay, #VacayKlay, #RomanticFrenchGetawayKlay, #ChinaKlay and #CelebrityGolfTourneyKlay. Through most of his adventures, Thompson was seen sitting or standing without assistance, or walking with minimal to no limp.
So, how is Thompson’s rehab going?
He told USA Today Sports that rehabilitation of his surgically-repaired ACL is in “the grassroot stages of rehab,” which apparently includes set-shooting and ballhandling drills.
Thompson will not know the next steps in his rehab until he is reevaluated by Warriors when he reports to the team for media day, on Sept. 30. His father, Mychal, who had a storied NBA career of his own, suggests his son may not play until the 2020-21 season.
“By January or February, he’ll know exactly where he’ll stand,” Mychal Thompson said.
After the devastating postseason injuries to Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Durant, it is doubtful that the Golden State medical staff would try to accelerate Thompson’s return for the playoffs, should the retooled Warriors make the postseason. What that decision will be based on is yet to be seen, but it should be assumed that it will not be based on Thompson’s desire to play. This is the man, after all, who tried to get back into Game 6 after going down with the tear.
And what might Thompson’s goals be in a return to Warriors basketball?
Golden State may be starting the new season in a new city, playing in a new home arena and getting to know a bunch of new teammates. But for Klay Thompson, the goals stay the same.
“We won championships,” he said. “So I always expect to win a championship. Nothing short of that.”
