:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63889572/1150626168.jpg.0.jpg)
Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson was not named to an All-NBA team this year. His teammates Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were selected to the First and Second Team, respectively, but Thompson missed the cut for the third straight year.
The lack of selection has some financial ramifications for Thompson, who is an impending free agent. He will not be eligible for the supermax contract.
Had Thompson been named to one of the All-NBA teams this year (or in both 2016-17 and 2017-18) he would have been able to sign the supermax with the Warriors, which would be worth $221 million over five years.
Instead, the most he can receive is the regular max, which is $191 million over five years.
The $30 million that Thompson is potentially losing is an even bigger sum that Joe Lacob is saving. Because the Warriors are likely to be way over the tax in the next few seasons, Thompson’s omission could save the Warriors eight, or even nine figures in tax payments, in addition to the $30 million in salary.
Thompson found out about the news while doing media obligations at Thursday’s practice. He was not particularly pleased, and rolled his eyes when he heard that Kemba Walker made the team over him.
Klay Thompson learns he didn’t make All-NBA (“Oh I didn’t?”) and is clearly a little ticked (it affects his next contract): “When you go to five straight Finals, it takes more than a couple All-NBA guys...Do I think there are that many guards better than me? No.” pic.twitter.com/bW5DiBavo1
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 23, 2019
Klay Thompson on not making All-NBA team... “Do I think there are that many guards better than me? No.”
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) May 23, 2019
What gets him over not making it?
“Rings.” #Warriors pic.twitter.com/kRreGjyCb1
Thompson finished eighth in voting among guards, behind First Team selections Curry and James Harden, Second Team selections Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard, Third Team selections Walker and Russell Westbrook, and fellow omission Bradley Beal.
Of the 100 media voters for the award, three selected Thompson for the Second Team, and 18 put him on the Third Team.