Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, if Thompson decides to leave the franchise he has been a key part of since 2011, the Orlando Magic are a team to keep an eye on:
Orlando has been increasingly mentioned as a potential suitor for Klay Thompson in free agency. The Magic’s available cap space is difficult to project this far out. That figure could rise as high as $45 million but depends on their future plans with free agents-to-be Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris as well as Jonathan Isaac (whose $17.4 million salary next season is non-guaranteed).
In what has been a bit of a disappointing season for the 27-26 Warriors so far, Thompson’s name appeared in numerous trade rumors. Ultimately, the Warriors held on to Thompson and will have him at least throughout the remainder of this season.
The Orlando Magic have been increasingly mentioned as a potential suitor for Klay Thompson in free agency
(Via @TheSteinLine) pic.twitter.com/TPMgAWvgvv
— Dime Alerts (@dimealerts) February 20, 2024
Thompson is averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game this season. Furthermore, the California native is shooting 42.1% from the field and 47.3% from beyond the arc. While this is Thompson’s worst statistical season in roughly a decade, he is fresh off a vintage 35-point performance against the Utah Jazz. This game was the first game since his rookie year coming off the bench. Thompson said he “thought about” San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili when talking about his move to the bench:
“I thought about Manu Ginobili,” Thompson said of the longtime San Antonio Spurs Sixth Man who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022. “That guy has four rings and a gold medal, and he came off the bench his whole career. And I don’t think anyone looks down on his Hall of Fame candidacy because he’s one of the greats.”
NBA Rumors: Eastern Conference Team Pursuing Klay Thompson?
Who Else May Show Interest in Thompson?
The Orlando Magic are not the only suitor for Thompson this summer. Additionally, the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers may look to sign Thompson in the offseason, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
“He’s shown still, that he can be Klay Thompson…I would expect both Florida teams, both LA teams [to show interest]…he’s gonna test the marketplace.”
Shams Charania on Klay’s future with the Warriors 🗣
(via @PatMcafeeShow)pic.twitter.com/UKzHrtzQEm
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 16, 2024
Thompson is not the same player he was even just five years ago. Even so, he has proven he can still play good NBA basketball. This is something Thompson himself has been open about this season:
“I’ll be 35 next year. At 35, coming off the ACL and an Achilles [tear] and still have the ability to be a really good player. Maybe not the guy who scored 60 in three quarters and scored an NBA record 37 points in a quarter, but still a great threat out there. I’ve modeled my game after Reggie [Miller] and Ray [Allen], and those guys were incredibly effective until their late 30s. So I plan on kind of following that mold.”
The Magic are a young team with a ton of potential. Currently, Orlando owns a 30-25 record as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Signing a seasoned vet like Thompson to play next to guys like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner could help the Magic become contenders as soon as next season.
It is too early to determine if Thompson will remain with the Warriors past this summer or not. Regardless, Thompson’s next contract could be his last. It will be interesting to see where the four-time NBA champion will play next season and beyond.
