Klay Thompson Makes Case for Why He Should’ve Made All-NBA Team
Written by SOURCE on May 23, 2019
The All-NBA Team was shared today and Klay Thompson wasn’t on it. Thompson didn’t know he was snubbed until a reporter brought it to his attention.
Thompson implied that he should have made the team, and pointed to the fact that he’s helped the Warriors to five straight NBA finals, and suggested that he’s happy playing for rings as opposed to personal accolades. Despite his deflection, Thompson cleary looked bothered by the snub. “Do I think there’s that many guards better than me in the league? “Thompson asked out loud. “No.” Point taken.
The All-NBA team is meant to be a celebration, but for players on the cusp like Thompson, who get snubbed by the honors designation, it can be incredibly negative. In spite of the fact that Thompson, Bradley Beal and Karl Anthony-Towns are considered top-tier by anyone paying attention to the league, their omission from the list can cost them a significant amount of money.
In short, players named to the All-NBA team are eligible for supermax contracts. Players like Thompson being left off is good news for teams who hope to keep their units together, but bad for stars looking to make as much money as their play should demand. Towns for instance, would have been eligible for 30% of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ salary cap in the first year of his rookie contract extension had he been awarded the honor. Thompson and Beal would have been eligible for 35% of their teams’ salary in veteran extensions.
Though Thompson is a key cog of a dynastic team, the Beal snub is particularly egregious. The Wizards player was the only person in his statistical tier to miss out on the All-NBA team.
The list is good news for a few rookies and veterans. Kemba Walker, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard’s inclusions make them eligible for 35% of the salary cap if they decide to stay on their current teams.
