Former All-Star blasts Dubs’ approach with Klay Thompson negotiation

When Warriors owner Joe Lacob told fans to “chill” about Klay Thompson’s contract talks, there’s a chance he was referring to a former Dubs player whose Instagram handle is @no.chill.gil: Gilbert Arenas.

The former All-Star, who was on Golden State from 2001 to 2003, discussed the lack of progress on Thompson’s extension on his online sports show, “Gil’s Arena.” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday that there’s been “absolutely no progress on a Klay Thompson extension in Golden State,” and that each side is “still apart on years and money.”

Arenas started off sounding skeptical about extending the veteran Dubs guard for the large sum he’s reportedly looking for, asking the panel: “Has Klay gotten better over the last six years?” However, as is frequently the case with sports talk shows, the concern about Thompson’s on-court talent was kayfabe.

The former player then pivoted and became a full-throated advocate of Thompson getting his deserved bag from the Warriors. His argument began with how much money this current dynasty has made for Dubs ownership. Forbes lists Golden State at the top of its NBA team valuations list at $7 billion. Lacob bought the team in 2010 with Peter Guber for $450 million. That growth doesn’t happen without the Warriors’ core three — Thompson, Steph Curry and Draymond Green — according to Arenas.

“When you’re talking about loyalty and business — you go to sleep good at night because of them,” Arenas said. “Whatever you buying, is because of them, all three. … That’s who your loyalty is to.”

It’s a loyalty that Arenas believes hasn’t made its way toward Thompson during this current negotiation process. He surmised that the 33-year-old is wondering why there’s a process at all, given that he’s helped the Dubs win four titles and shown good “work ethic.” That being said, the Warriors might not feel the same way about that last bit. When head coach Steve Kerr appeared on Sirius XM last week, he lauded Thompson for being “purposeful” about being in shape this season “which he did not frankly do a year ago.”

After saying that he thinks Thompson should feel disrespected by these negotiations, Arenas then asks the big question: What’s taking so long? His best guess is that the Dubs want to wait for even more leverage.

“At the end of the day, what are you waiting for if you’re going to sign him back?” Arenas said. “I’m pretty sure they’re hoping he starts off rugged so they can be like ‘OK, so this is what you’re working with?’ and he signs. It’s the game.”

That strategy could ultimately backfire since, as Arenas puts it, Thompson could “go on demon time” with huge scoring outputs to start the season, forcing the Warriors’ hand for a big extension.

It’ll be up to Thompson to show his worth on the floor if negotiations truly are at their reported standstill. Now it’s a question of whether that worth will get picked up by Golden State or another interested team.