2021-22 NBA Season: 3 realistic targets for Klay Thompson after returning from injury

#2 Klay Thompson averages 30+ minutes per game and shoots 40%+ from three-point range

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors

Klay Thompson is one of the rare players who have never shot below 40% from beyond the arc. That's eight straight years shooting 40% or more from deep. For context, Damian Lillard is often compared to Stephen Curry in shooting and he has shot over 40% just once.

Klay Thompson's game is not predicated on athleticism but rather his sniper-like shooting. Even though he is coming off an Achilles injury, we don't expect his efficiency and marksmanship to take a hit. He is a jump-shooter and will continue to shoot lights out.

Shooters gonna shoot 🤷‍♂️ @KlayThompson pic.twitter.com/TGEwMrplcz

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 23, 2021

Moreover, as far as his minutes are concerned, he is expected to notch up the same times as before. Surely he will be on minutes restriction at first but will eventually get into rhythym to complete games. If we look at Kevin Durant and John Wall again, we will see that even though they played just half the season, they both averaged roughly 32.5 minutes per game. Thompson averaged 34 to 35 minutes per game as an All-Star, but even 30+ minutes from him is a huge deal.

#3 Klay Thompson averages 18-20 points per game

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals

Klay Thompson is a career 19.5 points per game scorer and hasn't averaged less than 20 for his last five seasons, ever since he became an All-Star. Although we all want him to hit the ground running and immediately make the Golden State Warriors title-contenders, Thompson will need to pace himself.

The most realistic expectation from him is averaging around 18 points per game with a chance of touching 20. Andrew Wiggins will still continue to be the second-best scorer and share most of the scoring burden with Curry. Wiggins and Curry were the highest scoring duo in the NBA last season.

If Klay Thompson comes back around Christmas and gives even 18 points per game, the Warriors will find themselves right in the middle of playoff contention.

LOVE TO SEE IT 🙌(via @KlayThompson/IG) pic.twitter.com/i0cxgnMaVx

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) August 20, 2021