Which Team Should Go After Klay Thompson?
The Warriors Were Eliminated From the Playoffs, and Thompson Is Set to Enter Free Agency
The Definition of Sharp Shooter 🎯
Klay Thompson’s career with the Warriors has been nothing short of a fairytale! But right now, we don’t know if his story will have a happy ending.
Klay Thompson had arguably the worst game of his career to end the Warriors’ season. Despite that, he’s still a franchise legend and a future Hall of Famer.
His legacy is already cemented but his career still has one or two chapters yet to be written. pic.twitter.com/UsWYlaCPpl
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 18, 2024
Golden State selected Thompson with the 11th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and he’s been with the team since. However, NBA news outlets saw how he had signs of decline this season.
Thompson’s debilitating knee and Achilles injuries in consecutive years affected his dynamism on the court over the last three seasons. This was more evident this season, as he shot just 38.7% from 3-point range in 77 NBA games (the second-lowest mark of his career).
Must win for the Warriors
Klay Thompson: pic.twitter.com/bnfpbh3wD6
— The Staggie Man (@thestaggieman) April 17, 2024
Another issue was that Klay’s defense was suspect. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had to make a tough call and remove him from both the starting and closing lineups at different points this season.
Tuesday’s 118-94 road loss against the Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament might be the end of an era, as Thompson is now a free agent. NBA rumors believe that the Warriors won’t re-sign Thompson unless he accepts a significant pay cut. The end of the “Splash Brothers” might be near.
Thompson had zero points on 0-of-10 from the field and 0-of-6 from 3-point range in 32 minutes against the Kings! That doesn’t mean that he can’t still produce, after all, he averaged 17.9 points in 29.7 minutes per game this season.
Klay Thompson went SCORELESS in the Warriors elimination game tonight 😬 pic.twitter.com/lChEQxpE8L
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 17, 2024
Klay Thompson’s stats don’t lie, he didn’t have a good year, but many teams would benefit from his presence. Here are five teams that should go after Thompson next season.
Orlando Magic
Per Keith Smith of Spotrac, the Magic have an estimated $25.6 million in cap space. This amount is a lot more than what the Warriors would offer and he’s a good fit with them. The Magic are extremely young and they need veteran leadership and championship experience.
Thompson is not an All-Star caliber player anymore but he can still provide 3-point shooting. And the Magic don’t expect Thompson to be an elite defender.
@KlayThompson you might as well come to @OrlandoMagic https://t.co/RkK87CsZP3
— Knicks are back (@GivensOnTheCall) April 17, 2024
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are championship contenders right now and adding Thompson would make them an even scarier team. Thompson would provide deadly 3-point shooting while opening up the floor for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City has enough cap space, and like the Magic, they’re a young team. Thompson’s playoff experience would be valuable for them.
“I hope I get it.”
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the MVP award pic.twitter.com/kUTC6ZHBCq
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) April 15, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers
According to reports, the 76ers want to land big players in free agency and they have enough cap space. Adding a shooter like Thompson around Joel Embiid would improve the team’s chances of being contenders in the East, and the 76ers wouldn’t expect him to be a star for them. He could even be their Sixth Man!
TIE GAME IN THE 4TH QUARTER.
Joel Embiid sinks the 3-pointer to ignite the Wells Fargo Center on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/7IB6BpL0Ir
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2024
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers want to add another star to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis but they could pivot and get Thompson, hoping he revives his career there.
His father, Mychal Thompson, won two NBA Championships with the Lakers in the 1980s, and Klay was a big fan of the team growing up. The Lake Show needs 3-point shooting and depth and Thompson can be a decent contributor as a starter or off the bench.
.@89JonesNTAF expects the Lakers to upset the Nuggets. 👀
“LeBron James is 14-1 in round 1s. I got my faith in the King and Anthony Davis.” pic.twitter.com/8bHZXWkzYB
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) April 19, 2024
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors want Thompson back, at the right price, and he would love to finish his career with Curry and Green! Will he give them a discount or go after a bigger final payday?
Klay Thompson soaking it all in before leaving the court 😢 pic.twitter.com/YUlvwxUcEL
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 17, 2024
One thing is certain, Thompson has a big decision ahead and the next few months will be very interesting for everyone involved. I’m intrigued to see if the Warriors get younger and rebuild or if they attempt another run with Curry, Thompson, and Green.
Author: Sin City Sniper
Author: Sin City SniperBusting bookmakers and taking their money is his greatest joy in life. He’s been around the block more than once, knows the players both on and off the field of battle, and uses his experience to serve the bookies a heaping plate of humble pie washed down by a warm glass of their salty tears. You can find him in any number of Vegas books, sniping weak lines and getting paid to do it.
The opinions and view here expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Point Spreads or any of its affiliates. Point Spreads is not responsible and does not verify for accuracy any of the articles and content pieces included herein; moreover, besides being solely the opinion or views of the authors, these content pieces are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone or anything.
