While the Golden State Warriors are fighting for their playoff lives this season, they have many important decisions to make this offseason.
The Warriors’ major decisions this summer surround Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins, and Klay Thompson. Paul has a $30 million nonguaranteed contract that becomes guaranteed on June 24. Thompson is an upcoming unrestricted free agent, while the Warriors likely will look to trade Wiggins.
Orlando Magic Expected To Pursue Golden State Warriors Free Agent This Summer
Golden State recently extended Draymond Green, Steve Kerr, and Stephen Curry through the 2025-26 campaign. So, re-signing Thompson appears to be the next logical step. Green has an extra year of the other three as he has a player option for 2026-27.
But can the Warriors afford him?
Golden State has 11 players under contract for next season, including Paul, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II and Gui Santos. Looney, who has a partial guarantee, and Payton, who has a player option for $9.3 million, are expected to back. Santos will be on a nonguaranteed deal that becomes fully guaranteed on Jan. 10, 2025.
With just the 11 players currently in the fold for next season, the Warriors are already over the NBA luxury tax and less than $15 million from the punitive second tax apron. Even if Paul’s contract is not included, the Warriors are still above the salary cap.
It is almost abundantly clear that Paul will not remain with the Dubs at his current rate of $30 million. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be on the team. The Warriors could release Paul, renegotiate a more cap-friendly deal, or trade him.
What Is Klay Thompson’s Project Worth?
Thompson has struggled this year and is now coming off the bench for the Warriors. He is 34 years old and has some recent injury history. Still, Thompson projects to be one of the most sought-after free agents this summer. He is a consistent scorer and elite 3-point marksman who can still defend at a high level.
Thompson has struggled shooting the ball this season, comparatively speaking, posting a slash line. 422/.379/.915, he has shot better from deep after the all-star break. The five-time all-star is draining over three treys a game at a 41.3% clip over the last nine games.
Thompson has also adjusted well to his new reserve role. He averages 18.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in eight games off the bench. He is shooting 46.2% from the field while making 4.1 threes a contest at a 41.3% clip and a +2.3 plus/minus rating in 26.4 minutes a game.
According to eight NBA executives who spoke with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Thompson should command between $18 and $25 million annually.
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“I see him at around $18-20 million a year,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I’m not sure he’ll accept that because he sees himself much higher. If all offers are equal, I think he goes back to Golden State. I feel like his relationship with Steph and being able to play in one place is important to him.”
For the Warriors’ part, Kerr, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., and several Warriors players have said that they want Thompson to remain a Warrior for his entire career.
“We know we want Klay to be here forever,” Looney said. “He’s a Warrior for life no matter what. Even if he did go somewhere, he’s still going to be a guy with a statue and jersey in the rafters. We really don’t talk about it. We know how much pressure it is to play in a contract year when there are ups and downs. You feel that heat. I think he’s handled it great, especially with the lineup change. He knows how much he means to this organization, this team, this city, and the Bay Area. Hopefully, he gets to stay forever. That’s one of my goals as well. Hopefully, this core gets to ride it out.”
Orlando To Pursue Thompson
As stated above, Thompson is expected to command a lot of schmoozing from other NBA teams as one of the top free agents available. The Orlando Magic are expected to be one of the teams that will go after Thompson hard.
Ian Begley of SNY.tv reported recently that the Magic had interest before the trade deadline. The Magic projects to have a ton of cap space in cap space, and they could definitely use 3-point shooting. The Magic rank last in the league in 3-pointers made (10.6) and 3-point attempts (30.8). They are also 26th in 3-point percentage.
As it stands now, Orlando is $36.4 million under next year’s estimated salary cap of $141 million. However, the Magic have flexibility with Jonathan Isaac’s $17.4 million being nonguaranteed and Joe Ingles‘ $11 million being a team option.
Not sure if the Magic will keep Isaac, but Ingles is undoubtedly gone.
Isaac is having a decent campaign, though he has been hurt again this season and hasn’t seen much action.
The 26-year-old provides the Magic with athleticism, rebounding, and defense, including rim protection. He is generally very efficient around the rim and can space the floor with shooting. However, Isaac is a below-average 3-point shooter.
Here is what one NBA executive told Scotto about the Magic being linked to the Magic.
“If you’re the Magic, don’t you want a grown-up? They need a legitimate shooting guard. Jalen Suggs is a combo guard. I think Gary Harris could be gone this summer. Let the point guard position be a combination of Anthony Black, Suggs, and Cole Anthony. Orlando likes size, which Klay has, and he’d give them shooting.”
The Magic also needs a center and depth at forward.
Projecting Where Thompson Will Land
It would be a huge surprise if Thompson did not remain with the Warriors. However, Orlando is an interesting situation, and Thompson could land there if he wants more money than the Dubs wish to spend. The Warriors own Thompson’s Bird rights.
Also, the Los Angeles Lakers can’t be counted out because Thompson grew up in SoCal, and his father, Mychal Thompson, of course, played for them.
Here is a prediction from one NBA executive:
“Klay’s not going anywhere. The Warriors can’t let him walk. He’s a four-time champion, and they can’t really replace him. At some point, if a player isn’t getting the job done and still wants to play as he gets older, you’d come off the bench, and he’s doing that while playing better. Maybe they tie his deal to Steph’s. Klay’s value is in the $20-25 million range. I think other teams would sign him.
