"LeBron James cut the check": Fans react after report claims Klay Thompson eyes 3-year contract in free agency

Golden State Warriors icon Klay Thompson faces a significant decision this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. The 34-year-old, who experienced a challenging season and was moved to a bench role, is reportedly seeking a three-year contract, and fans are eager for LeBron James to convince the LA Lakers to sign him.

According to Monte Poole of NBC Sports, Klay Thompson, a key contributor to the Warriors' four NBA championships over the past decade, acknowledges he is no longer worth max money but desires at least three years of stability.

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) quickly urged LeBron James, also known as "LeGM," to recruit Thompson.

“@KingJames (LeBron James) cut the check,” user @SCOOPPYEE tweeted.

Another Lakers fan expressed excitement about the prospect of Thompson joining LA for his 3-point shooting skills.

“A 2+1 contract with the Lakers to shoot threes would be awesome, brother,” tweeted @LakersOnX.

However, some fans were more critical, suggesting Thompson's future might lie outside the NBA.

“3 years in China,” commented @JuniorGotNext.

“Shanghai Sharks sending the offer now,” added @ChuckFresco.

Here are other reactions to the Thompson news:

Fans react to the Klay Thompson news

Thompson reportedly understands he won't receive anything close to his expiring five-year, $190 million max contract, and according to Poole’s sources, he is seeking an offer of at least three years.

Thompson averaged 17.9 points while shooting 38.7 percent from 3-point range across 77 appearances this season. It was his first season averaging under 20 points since 2013-14.

In his final performance this season, a Play-In Tournament game against the Sacramento Kings, he went 0-10.

Steve Kerr says the Warriors want Klay Thompson back

Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed in April that the team would be thrilled to retain Klay Thompson.

"He's still got good years left. We want him back," Kerr said.

"Obviously, there's business at hand, and that has to be addressed. ... What Klay has meant to this franchise, as good as he still is, we desperately want him back."

Klay Thompson has spent 11 seasons with the Warriors, averaging 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He has been selected to five All-Star games and has won four NBA championships.

Throughout his career, he has maintained a 3-point shooting percentage of 41.3. However, his 3-point shooting percentage of 38.7% in the 2023-24 season was the second-lowest of his career and only the second time he has shot below 40% from beyond the arc.

He also shot 43.2% from the field, which ranks among the bottom three seasons of his career. Despite these struggles, he achieved a career-best free throw shooting percentage of 92.7% this past season.