Klay Thompson wasn’t among the 15 players named to one of the three All-NBA teams Thursday and the Golden State Warriors guard was none too pleased.
Thompson was informed of the omission by a reporter in a scrum during a media availability and the news caught him by surprise.
“Oh I didn’t?” a vexed Thompson asked.
When he learned Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets was one of the guards that earned a spot ahead of him, Thompson rolled his eyes and shook his head.
The All-NBA teams were voted on by a panel of 100 sportswriters/broadcasters. Five points are given for a first-team vote, three points for a second-team vote and one point for a third-team nod.
Walker finished with four second-team votes and 39 third-team votes for 51 points, while Thompson had three second-team votes and 18 third-team votes for 27 points. Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards was the only guard on the outside looking in to receive more points than Thompson.
“I mean that’s cool and all but, like, when you go to five straight Finals – I respect those guys but holy, when you go to five straight, I mean it takes more than a couple All-NBA guys,” Thompson said. “It’s an all-time team but whatever. I’d rather win a championship than be third-team All-NBA, so it’s all good.”
Thompson, a five-time NBA all-star selection, averaged 21.5 points in 78 games and was named to the 2018-19 NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Thompson’s teammates Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant made the first and second team, respectively, but his frustrations likely stem more from the potential financial impact the omission has.
The 29-year-old, who was named to the All-NBA third team in 2015 and 2016, is a pending free agent and had he made an All-NBA team again this season he would’ve been eligible to sign a Designated Veteran Player Extension (aka a “supermax” contract) – something Walker can now do with the Hornets.
You can read all about the specific details involved in supermax contracts and maximum salaries on this FAQ page regarding the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
It basically boils down to this, though: Thompson just lost out on roughly $30 million dollars and he handled the news better than most probably would have.
“It is what it is. I can’t control it,” a visibly dejected Thompson added. “Do I think there are that many guards better than me? No. But that’s the reason we’re still playing. I don’t even want to get into it honestly.”
Thompson and his Warriors are on their way to another NBA Finals appearance after completing a sweep of the Portland Trailblazers. They await the winner of Milwaukee-Toronto.
Another award for #Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard as he has been named to the All-NBA Second Team Would you make any changes? Let us know in the comments.
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