Report: Klay Thompson has ‘mutual interest’ with Eastern Conference team
Jun 5, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) warms up before game two of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Klay Thompson is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and there is at least one team aside from the Golden State Warriors that the veteran sharpshooter would reportedly be open to joining.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on FanDuel TV’s “Run it Back” Monday that there is “mutual interest” between Thompson and the Orlando Magic. Charania said Thompson and other free agents view the Magic as being close to contention if the team can put the right pieces in place.
“I’m told there is mutual interest between the Magic and Klay Thompson,” Charania said. “Thompson, along with several other vets around the league, are looking at the Magic as a situation where if you plug in a guy like Klay Thompson, you plug in another veteran player whether it be at the point guard position or shooting guard position, this team can make a real jump around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.”
"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
The Magic finished fifth in the Eastern Conference this season with a record of 47-35. They lost their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. The postseason appearance was their first in the last four years, so they seem to be trending in the right direction.
Many expect Thompson to return to Golden State, but there should be plenty of interest in him around the league. A rival team might even be waiting to swoop in if the Warriors decide it is time to break up their championship core of Thompson, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Thompson averaged 17.9 points per game this season and struggled with his shot. He made 43.2 percent of his field goals, including 38.7 percent on threes. He failed to score in the team’s play-in loss to the Kings last month. That may not be the way the 34-year-old wants to end his Warriors career.