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Warriors Stand By Klay Thompson After Scoreless Play-In Performance

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 04: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers at ORACLE Arena on October 4, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Image: Getty)

Following an abysmal performance in the Play-In Tournament Tuesday, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson must now begin considering his next steps in the twilight of his career. The former star, who combined forces with fellow elite shooter Steph Curry in 2011 and went on to win four NBA championships, shot 0-for-10 from the field in the team’s 118-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Retirement may not be on the table yet for the 34-year-old, but many are speculating that Thompson may not return to Golden State next year. His contract with the team ends at the end of this season, and though he improved in the regular season after a poor start, he proved to be a liability in the team’s playoff pursuit.

Despite the rumors of an impending departure, Thompson’s longtime teammates Curry and Draymond Green said they could not imagine the Warriors without him. Coach Steve Kerr, who coaxed Thompson through his slump in the regular season, flatly said that the team needed him.

“It means a lot,” Thompson said in response to Kerr and his teammates. I mean, we’ve been through the highest of highs and lows. Whether it’s losing a championship, winning a championship, or missing the playoffs, we’ve been through everything together, so that does mean a lot. It makes me grateful to have the times I’ve had with them. Like, that was pretty historic stuff.”

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In his prime, Thompson was one-half of what is often considered the greatest backcourts in NBA history, teaming up with Curry to form the Splash Brothers. The team strayed away from several core tenets of basketball, focusing more and more on perimeter shooting, and succeeded because of elite shooting talent.

Now, Thompson is a shadow of the player he once was, occasionally providing glimpses of ability but frequently suffering lapses. He was not the only aging Warriors player who struggled this season, which could soon compel the team to undergo dramatic restructuring. Regardless of where Thompson goes next, his goals for the final seasons of his career are clear.