Clippers, Heat, Lakers, Magic Expected To Show Interest In Klay Thompson

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic are expected to show interest in Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson this summer. 

Thompson becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. 

The Clippers, Heat, Lakers, and Magic are all expected to show interest in Klay Thompson this summer, per @ShamsCharania on @PatMcAfeeShow (https://t.co/JX7hFWs7XM).

Thompson will gauge his value in free agency before making any potential decision on staying with the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/fbfBkbPuWo

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 16, 2024

Thompson has spent his entire career with the Warriors. The sharpshooter has won four championships and made five All-Star teams, two All-NBA teams and one All-Defensive team. 

The Warriors signed Thompson to a five-year, $189 million contract in July 2019. Thompson is making $43.2 million this season. 

The Clippers and Lakers have been linked to Thompson in the past since Klay was born and raised in Los Angeles. Thompson has openly talked about how he wants to spend his entire career with the Warriors, but since Golden State’s front office didn’t sign Thompson to an extension this year, it’s possible the 34-year-old could leave in the offseason. 

A future Hall of Famer, Thompson is averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists this season while shooting 42.1% from the field, 37.3% from beyond the arc and 91.8% from the free-throw line. He came off the bench last night (2/15) against the Utah Jazz for the first time since 2012. 

“I thought about Manu Ginobili,” Thompson said after the Warriors beat the Jazz. “That guy has four rings and a gold medal and he came off the bench his whole career. And I don’t think anyone looks down on his Hall of Fame candidacy because he’s one of the greats. I embraced it before tip.”

Thompson put up 35 points in 28 minutes versus the Jazz while shooting 13-of-22 from the field and 7-of-13 from beyond the arc. The Warriors won, improving their record to 27-26.

One of the greatest shooters in NBA history, Thompson has career averages of 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Warriors.