Amid a turbulent year with the Golden State Warriors, questions about star shooting guard Klay Thompson’s future continue to percolate as he moves closer to unrestricted free agency this summer.
Thompson, 34, who has struggled with shooting consistency all season, might be showing signs of his age after a torn ACL and Achilles tendon knocked him off the court in recent years.
NBA insider Marc Stein believes that the Warriors remain favorites to retain Thompson for the rest of his career when the two sides meet at the bargaining table this summer, but there likely will be other suitors. Namely, the Orlando Magic.
“I am not budging from my belief that Klay Thompson will retire a Warrior,” Stein wrote on his Substack on Tuesday. “I remain convinced that Thompson will ultimately find common ground with Golden State on a new contract in the offseason that keeps him connected with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. … Something to file away: Orlando has been increasingly mentioned as a potential suitor for Thompson in free agency.”
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Thompson’s potential fit with the Magic would be intriguing. He would enter the fray with a young, up-and-coming team and provide veteran leadership, lethal shooting and a championship pedigree. The Magic are 30–25 exiting the All-Star break, good for the No. 8 seed in the East.
Thompson can still rip it when he’s right, so don’t discount his market if he’s unable to find common ground with the Warriors to finish his career in San Francisco.
