According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Golden State Warriors free agent Klay Thompson could join the Dallas Mavericks this summer.
There are market forces outside of their control, too, with teams such as Orlando (which has as much as $60 million in salary cap space) playing the wild-card role. The Dallas Mavericks are worth watching as a possible suitor [for Klay Thompson] as well, league sources tell The Athletic.
Thompson is set to hit unrestricted free agency in the offseason after his five-year, $189.9 million contract expired. In what could be the last game of his Warriors career, Thompson went scoreless in Tuesday’s Play-In loss to the Sacramento Kings. Thompson went 0-for-10 from the field, including 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Regardless of the uncertainty of free agency, Thompson has expressed his desire to remain with the Warriors. Furthermore, Thompson has made it clear he wants to “have fun” playing in his final years in the NBA.
“I’ve kind of had a revelation over the past few days that despite the shooting numbers or the inconsistent play, I deserve to have fun, and I deserve to play with swagger.”
New NBA Team Being Linked to Klay Thompson
What Klay Thompson Would Bring to the Dallas Mavericks
Despite his NBA career being on its last legs, Thompson is still a solid player. He can still contribute on both sides of the ball and be a good complementary piece. On a team like the Mavericks, Thompson does not need to be a top scorer. With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving manning the backcourt, Thompson can take a step back and act as a sparkplug. Furthermore, adding Thompson gives the Mavericks some flexibility in its lineup. The Washington State alum now has experience as a sixth man. Hypothetically, if he is willing to, Thompson could make a great sixth man for the Mavericks. Additionally, though he is primarily a shooting guard, Thompson can play the small forward position. This is currently Dallas’ biggest weakness in the starting lineup.
Perhaps most important, however, is the championship experience very few players in the league currently have. Throughout his 13-year career up to this point, Thompson has won four championships in six NBA Finals appearances. This ties teammates Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, along with LeBron James, for most rings among active players. Except for Irving and Markieff Morris, no player currently on the Mavericks has won a championship.
The Warriors Still Want Thompson Back
Many sources have already linked Thompson to numerous teams so far. However, re-signing with the Warriors is still a serious option. After the loss to the Kings, head coach Steve Kerr talked about wanting Thompson to stay with the team.
Steve Kerr: “We need Klay back…He still has good years left…We desperately want him back.”
Full soundbite pic.twitter.com/0GRnjZGoyI
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 17, 2024
Furthermore, Curry also said he could never see himself playing without Thompson or Green on the team.
I can never see myself not with (Klay and Draymond) … we’ve experienced so much together. At the end of the day I know they want to win, I know I want to win. That’s all I’m worried about.
