In this episode of the newly launched Draymond Green Show, host Draymond Green asks Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson about his priorities heading into the upcoming free‑agency period and the later stage of his career. Thompson reflects on the reality of aging in the NBA, describing how the physical demands and injury setbacks have forced him to reassess his expectations and enjoy the game for its own sake. He emphasizes staying present, appreciating the privilege of playing, and prioritizing mental health over contract size or accolades. Thompson also shares how conversations with teammates, family (notably his Uncle Andy) and veteran perspective have helped him shift from a contract‑focused mindset to one centered on gratitude, fun, and being a good teammate. When asked about a hypothetical 2019 scenario where he remained healthy, he admits he would likely have stayed to chase a three‑peat, underscoring the pull of a potential dynasty. The segment includes a sponsored read for DraftKings Sportsbook, with a reminder about responsible gambling. Overall, the interview offers insight into Thompson’s evolving mindset, his approach to free agency, and the personal factors shaping his decisions.
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Welcome to the brand new Draymond Green Show YouTube channel. Hit subscribe so you don't miss out on any of our content. You have a free agency coming up this summer. And you know, speaking of playing with, you know, you for the last 12 years, with Steph for the last 12 years, and what we've built here, things change, you know, the NBA changes, cap situations change, this thing change, that thing change. As you go into free agency this summer, what's a priority to you as you look at, you know, the next 3, 4, 5, whatever you decide you wanna play, as you look at kind of the last segment of your career, if you will, what's important to you as you embark upon that? Yeah.
I just can't believe it's here. Like, when you're in your mid-20s, it's so crazy. You think you're gonna play forever, really. And you think you just maintain that athletic level that seems effortless. Oh, but then as time goes on, you really do realize how demanding this job really is. And it's so physically demanding. And I was actually struggling with that a lot in the beginning of this year because of the unknown, you know? I mean, I might have let contract situations or playing time or just using— making up a lot of excuses rather than just appreciating what is in front of me. And it took me and Steve like 4 real heart-to-heart talks to finally break my shell, being like, you know what? I gotta have fun this year. I deserve to have fun. Like, we worked so hard to freaking win these games and play into June and have fans on the road. I mean, my first couple years, there might be a few Steph Curry jerseys in the crowd. Now it's like a whole contingent of Warrior fans on the road. It's insane. So I was kind of grappling with that a lot this year. It's almost like your own mortality as an athlete. Like, man, I might not be able to elevate like I once did, or I might not slide my feet left and right like I once did. But I can still be a heck of a player if I just give gratitude and keep that perspective. Like, I'm out here balling, uh, because that was hard for me these last few years. When you're, uh, when you go through injuries and you're so used to playing at a certain level, guarding a certain guy, shooting certain shots, then you have to adjust all of that. That was the hardest part of my career, and it's still hard for me, you know, when I'm used to scoring 25 in a quarter, locking up the best player. Now I gotta be— pick my spots a lot more, uh, just precisely, which is fine. I've finally come to accept, like, look, I can still be a heck of a player. I can still be incredibly efficient. And as long as I'm having fun and being a good teammate— and you actually helped me a ton when you're like, lean into these young guys, lean into the fact you're a vet, you've made X amount of money, you don't have to worry about nothing. Like, you're playing for the love of the game. And I think once I realized that and I relaxed a little bit rather than trying to play for a contract or an All-Star nod or some accolade, but rather just play for the love of the game and the fact I get to play cards with the guys on the plane, we're playing ping pong last night after the game, we're having fun. That's the beauty of the game right there. Not trying to get another max deal or another endorsement, but just smelling the roses and appreciating all the work it took to get here. And saying that, when it comes to free agency in July, I just got to keep that in mind. Like, yes, I want to re-sign with the Dubs, but I also have to prioritize my mental health and, you know, lay out what is important to me at this point in my career. And I know we have so much basketball ahead, that I haven't given it much thought really, because if I start thinking about July 1st, then I'm just doing myself a disservice. I'm not here, I'm not thinking about the Hornets tomorrow and these must-win games this weekend. So for me, it's just about staying present, as simple as that is, staying present and appreciating being in the NBA. 'Cause my Uncle Andy always told me, he's like, "Klay, your career's gonna go by in a snap of fingers, so just appreciate this life you live." It's a—
Yeah.
It's not a right, it's really a privilege. And you know, Uncle Andy, he'd been around the game since The Last Dance, so that helped me a lot as well.
Absolutely. In 2019, if you don't get hurt, do you approach your free agent, your whole free agency process differently at that point?
That's a big what if. That's a— wow. Yeah, that was, um, that could have been a definite possibility just because you're healthy. But at the same time too, if I don't get hurt and let's say we do win a— we do three-peat, it's like you're not walking away from that part. You're not gonna— that hasn't been done since Shaq and Kobe, so I never would have walked away from a chance at stacking rings. And, uh, man, that was a crazy time. That was the worst, man. You freaking— you know how long it is to play to the Finals? It's such a long grind. And then, like, you tear a ligament and then you got to go right back to the gym. There was no, uh, like, vacation. So that was a— I was very grateful for my family during that time because I was just kind of lost without basketball and you know, being on crutches and just having to build all that muscle back in my quad and the atrophy, that was not fun, especially after that 5-year Finals run we had. That's a lot of— it's a lot of, uh, just mental and physical wear and tear. And I don't think— when I really think about it, if I was healthy, and I don't think I would have really tested it that hard just because, like, it's hard to walk away from a dynasty. That's, uh Um, doesn't happen too often.
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