As the 2023–24 season approaches, the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson are still at odds over an agreement. The Warriors legend might perhaps test the market in free agency next summer to see whether he would end his career with Golden State, as the sides are apparently so far apart.

Add Gilbert Arenas to the increasing list of NBA fans who think the Warriors and Thompson are engaging in risky negotiations. In Agent Zero’s opinion, Thompson has virtually entirely fulfilled his contractual obligations to Golden State during his twelve seasons in the Bay—no questions asked.

“You see my work ethic, you see this; I got four rings, I accomplished this.” Amid the impasse over the Gil’s Arena deal, Arenas remarked of Thompson’s attitude, “We shouldn’t even be negotiating.” However, it’s seldom that simple.It can go completely wrong or completely right. He will appear on demonic time!

Without a doubt, Thompson and the Warriors intend to stay married past 2023–2024. Draymond Green recently signed a four-year, $100 million contract this summer, tying him to Golden State for one season beyond the two-time MVP, while Stephen Curry is signed through 2025–2026. The three Dubs greats—Joe Lacob, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Steve Kerr—have made it very evident that they want to end their careers as a team.

Not all of the reasons Golden State let go of the gifted young guard were related to Green’s blow on Jordan Poole last year. The Warriors will be at a financial crossroads in 2019–20 when the new CBA’s tougher penalties kick in for teams over the second luxury tax bracket. Their working assumption has always been that Thompson’s expensive new contract will play a part in that calculation. The terms of Chris Paul’s contract are wholly uncertain for 2025–2026. The front administration never intended to lose Thompson in consecutive offseasons and Poole’s salary slot.

However, it also seems sense that Golden State would be at ease taking its time in discussing an extension with Thompson. Lacob, Dunleavy, and the rest of the team are aware that Thompson has no desire to go elsewhere, and they are probably quite certain that at some time over the upcoming 82-game grind, Thompson will accept an offer that satisfies or approaches his demands. Why not withhold the $30–35 million annual compensation from the 33-year-old until he has demonstrated his worth over a period of three or four years?

That’s the kind of cynical, businesslike mindset that Arenas advises the Warriors to avoid when it comes to their contract negotiations with one of the most significant players in franchise history. Look at Thompson’s recent social media behavior to see how agitated he already appears to be. However, Thompson is too close to Curry, Green, and even Kerr to allow his smoldering dissatisfaction over his extension status to impede the Dubs’ chances of winning an incredible fifth title in a decade. Thompson is also too terrific of a teammate. He is old enough to keep the floor and locker room apart from the front desk.

Regardless, keep an eye out for updates regarding Thompson’s next deal moving forward. The longer he waits to sign a new contract, the closer he will be to free agency in July of next year, when even Golden State’s best-laid plans to see its dynasty through to the end may not hold together for long.