The Warriors still aim to compete next season after missing the playoffs this year, but the makeup of the roster could look very different than it has in recent years.
Klay Thompson’s future is up in the air as the four-time NBA champion hits free agency, and Thompson himself has been pretty clear that he at least plans to test the waters of the open market after 13 years with the Warriors. .
Thompson has spent just hours of his 13-year career as a free agent. His only foray into free agency came in 2019, weeks after he tore his ACL during the NBA Finals, but Golden State quickly snapped him up on a five-year deal.
As that contract expires, the outlook for both Thompson and the Warriors are much different than they were five years ago. Does that mean divorce is on the horizon?
Below, a look at the latest news and rumors surrounding Thompson’s decision to become a free agent.
Klay Thompson free agency rumors
Warriors prioritize Paul George over Klay Thompson
- Date: June 28th
- Fountain: Mark Stein
Marc Stein has reported that the Warriors are focused on acquiring Paul George rather than re-signing Thompson.
“Golden State has prioritized the LA Clippers’ trade pursuit of Paul George over any other business this week,” Stein said.
This could mark the end of the Splash Brothers era in Golden State if Thompson decides to leave via free agency. He has been linked to several different teams, including the Dallas Mavericks.
“It will take some time for many NBA fans to get used to the idea of Klay Thompson wearing a different uniform if he is indeed willing to leave the Golden State Warriors as a free agent,” Stein said. “However, frankly, the signs have never been clearer on that front.”
The 76ers and Nuggets are interested in signing Thompson
- Date: Friday June 28
- Fountain: The Athletic
The 76ers and Nuggets are two teams that would have interest in Thompson if he decided to leave the Warriors, The Athletic reported.
Philadelphia tried to bolster its shooting by trading for Buddy Hield at the trade deadline this season, but Hield largely struggled with the 76ers and is set to become a free agent. Thompson, while not as consistent from deep as he once was, could fill the same shooting role for the Sixers.
The Nuggets could be looking to replace free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, although it probably wouldn’t be financially possible to retain Caldwell-Pope while also adding Thompson.
Mavericks could target Thompson after Hardaway deal
- Date: Friday, June 28
- Fountain: METERStone arch
The Mavericks are exploring the “feasibility” of signing Thompson in free agency, according to Marc Stein.
Dallas opened up some financial flexibility by getting rid of the Tim Hardaway Jr. deal in a trade with the Pistons on Friday, which could be a step toward pursuing Thompson.
The Mavericks rebuilt their frontcourt over the past year, drafting Dereck Lively II while trading for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, but a true shooter still seemed to be missing during the NBA Finals. Thompson wouldn’t be forced into a top-tier offensive role given the presence of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas, but the Mavericks could view him as a missing piece as they try to stay in title contention next season.
Stein later reported that there is mutual interest between Thompson and the Mavericks.
“Amid a growing league-wide belief that Thompson’s relationship with the Golden State Warriors is unrecoverable, strong mutual interest is expected between Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks when free agency opens Sunday night,” Stein reported.
Warriors’ negotiations with Thompson are ‘at a standstill’
- Date: Wednesday June 26
- Fountain: tthe ringer
The Warriors are “very far along” in negotiations with Thompson, according to The Ringer, with contract talks “at a standstill” for now.
The report is a reminder that it’s far from a foregone conclusion that Thompson will leave the Warriors, and that both sides are at least making an effort to reach a new deal, but it doesn’t appear that any agreement is close.
Golden State is still trying to figure out how to move Chris Paul and his high salary, while Andrew Wiggins could also be a candidate for a trade. The success of those salary-reduction efforts could determine whether the Warriors can realistically retain Thompson.
