Warriors GM, owner were willing to trade Klay Thompson
By Bryan Rose
If Mark Jackson had remained head coach of the Golden State Warriors, would Klay Thompson be a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Kevin Love playing for the Warriors? It’s possible considering what reportedly unfolded with the organization this offseason.
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Depending on who you ask, the Warriors and Timberwolves may have had a deal in place to send Thompson to the T’Wolves but the alleged trade was nixed, not by ownership or the front office but rather Jerry West and head coach Steve Kerr.
That’s the word from Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group who says the Warriors’ new head coach was a focal point in keeping Klay Thompson with the franchise.
Mychal Thompson on Klay: "He was put on the table by the owner and the general manager. Jerry West and Steve Kerr pulled him off the deal."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) August 23, 2014
Klay Thompson has already emerged as one of the better shooter’s in the NBA and it only makes sense that Kerr would prefer to keep him on the roster considering that’s how he made his money in the league. Still, the notion that Klay Thompson was on the trade block isn’t one that appeased the young guard as he’s reportedly upset that Golden State would even entertain the thought of moving him.
It appears he has a backer in Steve Kerr however (Jerry West as well), who will need to make sure Thompson is ready, motivated and harbors no resentment to the organization. Just the life of a rookie head coach.