After having knee and Achilles tendon surgeries, Klay Thompson had a remarkable comeback season in which he led the NBA in 3-pointers made and percentage (41%) last year. The 33-year-old guard’s contract with the Golden State Warriors is entering its final season, thus he and his representatives have been negotiating an extension with the team.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, there is no immediate contract between Thompson and the Warriors because the two sides are still very far apart. Thompson would become a free agent in the summer of 2024 if an agreement is not made before then. Reports Wojnarowski

“I’m told that there has been absolutely no progress on a Klay Thompson extension in Golden State, that they are both still apart on years and money, and there’s a very real possibility that Klay Thompson goes into free agency next summer without a deal.”

In 69 games, Thompson led the NBA with 301 3-pointers made, scored 21.9 points per game (his highest scoring average since the 2016–17 season) and grabbed 4.1 rebounds per game (his career high).

However, the fact that the Southern California native has been embraced by the Bay Area audience as a member of arguably the best trio in NBA history alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green compounds the problem with Thompson. Bob Myers, the former general manager of the Golden State Warriors, said it best during a recent interview on ESPN:

“Well, this is why I left, first of all,” Myers answered with a chuckle. People often claim that it’s “just business,” although this is clearly not the case. A statue of this player will be placed in front of Chase Center. He had a major role in winning four championships. Within the group, he has a lot of adoring fans. It’s not as easy as it seems because it takes time and money.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr famously labeled Thompson a “no-maintenance” player, and Thompson’s size and skill set on both ends of the court allow him to play many positions alongside virtually unlimited lineup variations, all of which add to his resume. Thompson’s goal for the upcoming season is to develop into a “complete, cerebral player,” which will make him more marketable in the event that he decides to enter free agency.

“This is a delicate negotiation from what I know and see,” said Myers. “[Thompson] prefers to remain. They’d rather he stay put. It’s not a given that it will occur. It is a test, though. This is a true test.