76ers, Magic, Thunder, Spurs, Lakers Considered Landing Spots For Klay Thompson If Warriors Don’t Re-Sign Him

One NBA writer believes Klay Thompson would fit on the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers if the Golden State Warriors don’t re-sign him. 

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report wrote about potential landing spots for Thompson — who becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer — if the Warriors decide to let the four-time NBA champion walk. 

76ers: 

“There is plenty of usage, ball-handling and creation accounted for with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid,” Bailey wrote. “As a Sixer, all Thompson would have to do is move around off the ball and launch catch-and-shoot threes. The same volume and efficiency he had this season would be more than good enough to force defenses to keep an eye on him outside. And that, by extension, should pull at least a little attention away from the Maxey-Embiid two-man game.”

Magic: 

“The Orlando Magic have a pair of stars (or at least budding stars) in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner,” Bailey wrote. “Both can create their own offense or distribute to teammates. Cole Anthony, Joe Ingles and Jalen Suggs are all under contract next season, too. In other words, there are plenty of unselfish creators here who would be willing to set Thompson up for threes after his off-ball cuts.”

Thunder: 

“OKC could do almost nothing this offseason and enter 2024-25 as a bona fide title contender,” Bailey wrote. “But using some of its cap space on Thompson might not do much to upset the apple cart. He’d go there likely knowing it’s as a more limited offensive weapon than he’s been in the past. And his shooting would have a similar effect on SGA’s drives as it would for Philadelphia and Orlando.”

Spurs: 

“A two-man game with Jones and Wembanyama, flanked by Vassell and Thompson, could be a nightmare to defend,” Bailey wrote. “And if the Spurs aren’t wasting several weeks on experiments like Jeremy Sochan at point guard or Wemby at the 4, adding Thompson could have them pushing for a return to the playoffs as early as 2025.”

Lakers: 

“And though they’ll likely only have the taxpayer’s mid-level exception ($5.2 million) to offer Thompson, the chance to chase a ring alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis for one of the league’s most storied franchises—and one his father won titles with—could be intriguing,” Bailey wrote. “And, like Orlando, L.A. may actually have a real need for more volume from the outside.”

Thompson appeared in 77 games for the Warriors this season. He averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc and 92.7% from the free-throw line. 

The Warriors drafted Thompson with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Thompson has made five All-Star teams, two All-NBA teams and one All-Defensive team with Golden State. 

Even though Thompson is not the player he once was, it would shock multiple people around the NBA if the Warriors didn’t re-sign the future Hall of Famer. 

“Klay’s not going anywhere,” one NBA executive predicted while chatting with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “The Warriors can’t let him walk. He’s a four-time champion, and they can’t really replace him. At some point, if a player isn’t getting the job done and still wants to play as he gets older, you’d come off the bench, and he’s doing that while playing better. Maybe they tie his deal to Steph’s. Klay’s value is in the $20-25 million range.”

Thompson has career averages of 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. The Warriors have won four rings and played in six NBA Finals in the Thompson-Draymond Green–Stephen Curry era.