Klay Thompson, Magic Share Mutual Interest; Paul George On Radar

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson and the Orlando Magic have a mutual interest in free agency, and Orlando could try to make a run at Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George as well.

The Thompson, George and Magic news was shared by Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Meanwhile, Shams Charania of The Athletic noted last month that Thompson and the Magic already share interest in teaming up. 

“Orlando continues to be mentioned by various league observers as a natural suitor for George as well as Golden State’s Klay Thompson,” Stein wrote. “The Clippers certainly hope to retain George in free agency, but they’ve made it clear by letting negotiations drag out to this point that they want to do it at their price.”

Same goes for the Warriors with Thompson. Golden State would like to bring him back, but given that his free agency looms at the end of the month, it’s clear that they’re not willing to break the bank.

Like George, Thompson has also been linked to the 76ers as a sort of Plan B (or C or D).

One of the best shooters in NBA history, Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season while shooting 43.2% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc and 92.7% from the free-throw line. 

But his game has been on the decline in recent years, as the Warriors failed to make the playoffs. Thompson was relegated to a reserve role for parts of the season.

According to NBA insider Tim Kawakami of The Athletic, the Magic might offer Thompson “a ton of money” this summer. 

“One of the worst-kept secrets in the league is that Orlando, loaded with young talent but not with shooters, might offer Klay a ton of money next summer,” Kawakami wrote. “Meanwhile, Joe Lacob has said the Warriors want to get all the way out of the luxury tax next summer, which is possible, but only if they are very disciplined about how much they’re willing to pay to keep Klay (and/or Chris Paul).”

As for Orlando, there’s no doubt it is a franchise on the rise, with a tall and talented young roster that features the likes of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, among multiple others. The Magic have the cap space to sign a veteran wing and it very much appears that is their offseason intention.