Two potential Celtics offers for Klay Thompson

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BOSTON -- When it comes to the Golden State Warriors, putting up big numbers is what they do.
 
But earlier this week, there was a number that jumped out like no other this season.
 

WHO'D SAY NO?


When you factor in the contracts they'll need to fill out the rest of their roster, it’s hard to imagine their Fab Four will remain intact much longer.
 
The four-year, $69 million contract Thompson signed in 2015 was a great deal, one that Thompson has surprisingly been able to out-perform despite the talent around him.
 
But when he hits the free-agent market in two years, he'll easily command a contract averaging more than $30 million annually. Moving him sooner rather than later gives the Warriors added financial flexibility in the short-term and long-term.
 
I’m a big fan of Thompson’s game, and, to be candid, wouldn’t move him. I would let his deal lapse, talk about doing an extension, and move on from there if we couldn’t get a deal done,
 
But if the Warriors are concerned about losing him and having nothing to show for it, dealing him sooner rather than later might be the wisest strategy.
 
In comes Boston, one of the few teams that can give the Warriors a player with a similar defensive skillset AND quality assets (i.e., draft picks) that could provide depth at an affordable (rookie scale) cost compared to what they would have to pay for free agents.
 
Here’s one potential trade proposal.
 
Celtics Get
Klay Thompson
Warriors 2018 Pick
 
Warriors Get
2018 Brooklyn Pick
Avery Bradley
Ante Zizic
Tyler Zeller
 
Boston gets the best player in this scenario, but the Warriors are compensated by adding an elite defender in Bradley plus some frontcourt depth as well, as a likely top-5 selection in next year’s draft.
 
But if Golden State becomes a stickler for getting the Celtics' No. 1 pick this year, here’s another possible trade scenario that I hate, but might get a deal done.

https://twitter.com/CSNNE/status/872478337943392256
 
Celtics Get
Klay Thompson
2020 Warriors Pick
2022 Warriors Pick
 
Warriors Get
2017 Pick
Tyler Zeller
Marcus Smart
Jordan Mickey
 
Boston gets its guy in Thompson, but I suspect the Warriors would immediately start shopping the No. 1 pick this year to maybe move down in the draft while accumulating additional assets along the way. Would anyone be shocked if Golden State, should this deal ever came to pass (which I don’t think either team would go for by the way), used the top pick this year to get two or three future picks down the road? Remember, this powerhouse wasn't built by off selecting players at the top of the draft board. Curry, if you recall, was the seventh overall pick in 2009 (and third point guard taken), Thompson was the 11th overall pick in 2011, and Green didn’t get selected until the second round, 35th overall, in 2012.

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