The Golden State Warriors did not advance in the NBA’s play-in tournament and now face a potentially tumultuous offseason.
At the center of the conversation is Klay Thompson, who played an integral role in helping the franchise win four championships during his tenure. But after an especially brutal showing in an elimination game, the reality that it may have been Thompson’s last time playing for Golden State became more likely.
Even though Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has indicated that the franchise needs Thompson back, he is in the final year of his contract and could test out the waters as a free agent.
RELATED: Steve Kerr thinks the Warriors ‘need’ Klay Thompson back but the decision isn’t so simple
"The Magic can open up an excess of sixty million dollars in cap space this off season…One name to keep an eye on, Klay Thompson, I'm told there is mutual interest between the Magic and Klay Thompson."@ShamsCharania on the Magic's future plans.
📺: https://t.co/oxMs3CAEGu pic.twitter.com/ENhJn68hmM
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 6, 2024
There is reportedly at least one team, the Orlando Magic, with registered interest in Thompson. Here is more from Charania:
“The Magic can open up an excess of $60 million in cap space this offseason … One name to keep an eye on: Klay Thompson. I’m told there is mutual interest between the Magic and Klay Thompson.”
According to Charania, the five-time NBA All-Star is one of several veterans around the league looking at the Magic as a team that could potentially make a “real jump” next season.
Orlando was recently able to take the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs before they eventually got eliminated.
Even though Thompson isn’t the player that he once was during his peak, his experience and leadership could provide tremendous value to a team like the Magic. Thompson is expected to weigh all of his options (via The Athletic):
“There’s a sense that Thompson is really taking these extra couple months to assess his future and decide whether he wants to continue with the Warriors, regardless of contract offer. What else is out there from a money, role and lifestyle standpoint? How much of a priority do the Warriors make him in the lead up? What is their final offer and how does it compare?”
Thompson will likely draw at least some interest around the league, including from the Magic and the Mavericks.
Whether or not these organizations will offer a contract enticing enough for Thompson to change teams for the first time in his career is to be determined.
But the ball is effectively in Golden State’s court when it comes to how they will approach the notion of bringing Thompson back this summer.
