{"id":83781,"date":"2024-06-30T18:38:17","date_gmt":"2024-06-30T22:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=83781"},"modified":"2024-06-30T18:38:17","modified_gmt":"2024-06-30T22:38:17","slug":"warriors-nuggets-sign-and-trade-best-klay-thompson-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/06\/30\/warriors-nuggets-sign-and-trade-best-klay-thompson-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Warriors-Nuggets Sign-And-Trade Best Klay Thompson Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As the Golden State Warriors prepare for life without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/thompkl01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Klay Thompson<\/a>, the four-time NBA champion is expected to be heavily courted by the likes of the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic this offseason.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Klay Thompson plans to have discussions with the Mavericks, Lakers, Clippers and 76ers in the opening hours of free agency, sources tell ESPN.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wojespn\/status\/1807535956947341630?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 30, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>However, the Sixers and Magic are also interested in the decorated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/georgpa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paul George<\/a>. Indeed, both teams also have a number of shared free agent targets this offseason, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/caldwke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/a>. As a result, the money pools in Philadelphia or Orlando may dry up before Thompson can jump in.<\/p>\n<p>If that happens, Thompson could take a rich but short-term deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, the Thunder have prioritized <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harteis01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a> this offseason, looking for a big man who can fit beside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holmgch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chet Holmgren<\/a>. Furthermore, after flipping <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/giddejo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Giddey<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carusal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Caruso<\/a>, Oklahoma City\u2019s backcourt now has the balance they were looking for. Though Thompson produces at a higher volume, the Thunder needed an accurate off-ball threat to play alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gilgesh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> rather than a prolific one as Holmgren and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willija06.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Williams<\/a> have demonstrated their potential as go-to scorers.<\/p>\n<h2>Warriors-Nuggets Sign-And-Trade Best Klay Thompson Deal<\/h2>\n<p>Ultimately, Thompson could be squeezed out of all three team\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n<p>Such is the reality for someone who was once one of the NBA\u2019s premier players. Unfortunately for Thompson, while his 3-point prowess remains, his defense has declined significantly. As a result, he\u2019s less valuable than players like George or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anunoog01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">OG Anunoby<\/a>. Even Caldwell-Pope may be more valued by teams at this point of their careers, as the two-time NBA champion is one of the marquee 3-and-D wings.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, Thompson isn\u2019t just considering taking the MLE from the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, or Dallas Mavericks just to be petty. He may not have a choice.<\/p>\n<p>With that being said, there are several teams who could look to upgrade with a Thompson sign-and-trade, giving him the money he desires for their own peace of mind.<\/p>\n<h3>Utah Jazz<\/h3>\n<p>Chief among these teams could be the Utah Jazz, who want to sign George themselves. With a number of young players and draft picks that could interest the soon-to-be-rebuilding Warriors, they can\u2019t be counted out.<\/p>\n<p>If they make a deal with Utah, they might get draft capital and a player like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sextoco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Collin Sexton<\/a>. An efficient outside threat and fiery competitor, Sexton averaged 18.7 points per game last season. He upped his scoring average to 21.1 points per game as a starter. Yet, due to his size, they would either start him and have a small backcourt or move him to a sixth man role.<\/p>\n<h3>Los Angeles Lakers<\/h3>\n<p>The Los Angeles Lakers are another team that could consider a Thompson sign-and-trade. Rather than signing him with the $12.9 million non-taxpayers MLE, they could attempt to trade him for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/russeda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/a>. In this scenario, they\u2019ll make a more enticing offer to Thompson, whose salary would have to match Russell\u2019s expiring $18.7 million contract. They <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/06\/30\/are-lakers-lebron-jamess-top-free-agent-targets-realistic\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">can then use their MLE<\/a> to lure a player like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/v\/valanjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonas Valanciunas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Should they negotiate a deal for Russell, the Warriors will bring back a player who had one of the best stretches of his career in Golden State. In 33 games, Russell averaged 23.6 points and 6.2 assists per game, shooting 37.4 percent from 3. Though the Warriors only won 15 games that season, they were 8-25 with Russell. That isn\u2019t to say they were world-beaters with Russell, but he certainly helped.<\/p>\n<h3>Denver Nuggets<\/h3>\n<p>If the Warriors execute a sign-and-trade with the Nuggets, it may be the best deal for Golden State.<\/p>\n<p>In this scenario, the Warriors trade Thompson for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/portemi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Porter Jr.<\/a>, an exciting and exceptional 3-point threat. Unlike Sexton, his size doesn\u2019t hinder him from starting. Unlike Russell, his primary obstacle isn\u2019t remaining confidence.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, Porter\u2019s going to be available primarily because he<i> is<\/i> so confident. Rather than blindly going along with Nuggets head coach Michael Malone\u2019s system, he\u2019s sought more scoring opportunities. This is what should draw Denver to Thompson. Thompson may want to stay on the court in the fourth quarter, but he also knows his role. More importantly, his best role doesn\u2019t him to have the ball, just to play off of those who do.<\/p>\n<h3>Small-Ball Warriors Back?<\/h3>\n<p>Of course, because of Golden State\u2019s frontcourt logjam, the arrival of Porter puts them in a bit of a pickle. His shooting ability complements <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuminjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Kuminga<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/greendr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Draymond Green<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jackstr02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trayce Jackson-Davis<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/looneke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevon Looney<\/a>, who are unreliable outside threats. Yet, all five of them can start.<\/p>\n<p>Green has started for the last 11 seasons and that\u2019s unlikely to change next season. Kuminga broke out as a starter last season and has done nothing to lose his spot. In theory, the Warriors could start Green as a small-ball center. They would go an opposite direction than the league is trending, but the Warriors didn\u2019t become a dynasty by going with the grain.<\/p>\n<p>More than anything though, this trade is about how the Warriors look when their core players retire. To that point, Green\u2019s contract expires in 2026. Therefore, the long view is that Golden State is replacing Thompson and Green with Porter and Kuminga. Though there\u2019s less defensive mastery in their new model, they\u2019re even better offensively.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the Golden State Warriors prepare for life without Klay Thompson, the four-time NBA champion is expected to be heavily courted by the likes of the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic this offseason. Klay Thompson plans to have discussions with the Mavericks, Lakers, Clippers and 76ers in the opening hours of free agency, sources tell [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":83837,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25,1608,20,27,26,62,3,4721],"tags":[1594,307,70,1223,297,50],"class_list":["post-83781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-warriors","category-basketball","category-nuggets","category-clippers","category-lakers","category-nba","category-news","category-trade-rumors","tag-collin-sexton","tag-dangelo-russell","tag-klay-thompson","tag-michael-porter-jr","tag-nba-free-agency","tag-paul-george"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83781\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}