Warriors legend Klay Thompson is up for free agency this summer and various teams rival teams have made it their business to start a pursuit. According to NBA insider Sean Deveney, the Thunder are one of several franchises with heavy interest in the 4x champion.
“Thompson heads into the summer a free agent for the first time since 2019, having turned down a two-year extension offer before the start of last season. The Warriors hope to keep Thompson while also getting themselves underneath the league’s luxury tax limit, a pair of goals that could both be achievable if Thompson’s salary does not come in too high. Thompson is expected to draw interest from teams with cap space to spend, most notably the Magic, Thunder and Sixers,” Deveney wrote.
Thompson enters free agency for the first time in five years. At almost 35, this could very well be the last long-term contract of his entire career and he wants to get the most out of it. After failing to reach an agreement on negotiations during the season, it looks like Klay may have to look elsewhere for the kind of money he seeks. At the very least, he may opt to put pressure on the Warriors to give him what he’s after.
Teams like the Magic and 76ers bring a lot to the table for Klay but there’s no doubt that the best situation for him would be with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He could serve as a veteran leader and mentor for the young guys while also stepping in to provide key shooting on the wing. After ranking 8th in three-pointers made last season, Thompson is capable of bringing the offense to another level.
Best of all, the Thunder are a place where Klay could compete for championships once again. Even with nothing left to prove, Thompson is in the business of winning and the Thunder may be the best-equipped team in the West to win a lot of games for many years to come.
With most of their star-studded core still on rookie-year deals, the Thunder are one of the few teams with enough cap space in the offseason and it’s the reason why they are considered among the favorites to lure him away from Stephen Curry.
Coming off two major injuries, Klay Thompson (picked 11th overall in 2011) is not the player he used to be on the court but he may not have to be to make an impact with the Thunder. With averages of 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 43.2% shooting last season, Thompson still brings a lot to the table as a shooter and floor spacer. In a modest role on the best young roster in the league, Thompson could thrive and his presence there may be enough to tip the balance of power.
Stephen Curry, 36, and other players will not let Klay go easily but the chance to earn one last pay-day on a championship-level team is a hard thing to turn down and it remains to be seen if he can actually follow through on his threats to leave the Warriors. One way or another, Klay is going to get paid and it’s hard to argue that he’s earned it after winning four championships as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.
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