- Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
- The Orlando Magic have the shortest odds to sign the four-time NBA champion.
- The Warriors lost to the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
After failing to qualify for the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Golden State Warriors have several tough decisions ahead of them in the offseason. One of their primary concerns is whether they’ll re-sign Klay Thompson or let him walk.
According to BetOnline, the Orlando Magic are a +300 favorite to sign Thompson if he doesn’t return to the Warriors. Thompson’s price to sign with the Magic equates to an implied probability of 25%.
The next likeliest destinations for Thompson are the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. At +600, the Spurs and Thunder have a 14.3% implied chance to land the five-time NBA All-Star.
Thompson didn’t look like an All-Star in his final game of the 2023-24 season against the Sacramento Kings. In a must-win scenario in the NBA Play-In Tournament, Klay had one of the worst shooting games of his career.
Regarded as one of the most reliable shooting guards in the NBA, Thompson had a rough start, with 0 points on 0 for 10 shooting from the field. He was also 0 for 6 from beyond the three-point line in the clunker.
The Warriors needed a big bucket from Thompson, but he came up well short in the 118-94 loss. The Splash Brother had a fine season, but it was the first time he averaged fewer than 20 points per game since 2013-14. The 34-year-old veteran scored 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
Magic Pursuing Veteran Presence
If the Magic target Thompson in free agency, it would make sense given their current roster. The franchise has been stockpiling young talent through the draft over the last few years.
It is finally paying off for the Magic, as they’re back in the NBA Playoffs and trending up as a franchise. They are led by 21-year-old Paolo Banchero, who was selected with the first pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Banchero is the best thing to happen to the Magic in a long time, but he’s not the only promising youngster. The team also has 22-year-old Franz Wagner in their stable. The German was drafted out of Michigan with the No. 8 overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft.
In addition to Banchero and Wagner, 22-year-old Jalen Suggs is in the starting lineup. The next logical step for the Magic would be to add a veteran player with successful playoff experience.
Currently, Gary Harris is the Magic’s starting shooting guard. Thompson would provide an instant upgrade from Harris on the depth chart.
The other teams with the best odds of signing Thompson are in a similar position. The Spurs and Thunder are talented teams but don’t have the most playoff experience. Thompson would alleviate those concerns.
Warriors Interested In Re-Signing Thompson
If you believe Warriors’ President of Basketball Operations Mike Dunleavy Jr., the organization will be looking to retain Thompson’s services.
Certainly, we want Klay black first and foremost. I expressed that to him yesterday. I think our players expressed that, our coaches, front office, ownership, everybody wants Klay back. I think he’s still a really good player. I think we have enough good players in our system. We have enough assets to acquire good players. We have the ability to keep getting better.
Of course, the Warriors would like Thompson back. He’s been integral to Steve Kerr’s system and has won four NBA championships in the Bay Area. However, the Warriors’ core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Thompson is not getting younger.
Dunleavy Jr. may have aspirations of Thompson taking a hometown discount. With the shooting guard due for one more sizable contract in his career, it’s unlikely that Thompson would leave money on the table for the Warriors.
The NBA champ could sign with a new team and perhaps have a better opportunity to win another ring than in Golden State. The Magic and Thunder are already better positioned than the Warriors for next season, so they are intriguing potential destinations.
