In a surprising twist, veteran shooting guard Klay Thompson might abandon the Golden State Warriors. The Dallas Mavericks are emerging as a strong contender for the four-time NBA champion’s new home. According to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Mavericks and Thompson are set to discuss the exciting possibility during the upcoming free agency negotiation period.
Why Klay Thompson Might Abandon the Warriors for the Mavericks
Adding Thompson to the Mavericks’ roster would create a formidable sharpshooting trio alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Marc Stein reports a “strong mutual interest between Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks,” but signing him won’t be as simple as a summer contract offer.
At 34, Thompson is an unrestricted free agent and likely to command a salary around $13 million next season. Dallas could reach this figure by offering its entire $12.9 million mid-level exception. However, this move could complicate the Mavericks’ plans to sign other top free agent targets.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has emphasized the importance of re-signing Derrick Jones Jr., a crucial player in Dallas’s finals run. Jones’s athleticism and energy have made him indispensable to the team. Trading Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons for Quinten Grimes freed up significant cap space, potentially allowing Dallas to use its MLE to re-sign Jones.
With the mid-level exception likely tied up, a sign-and-trade deal for Thompson becomes a more viable option. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Warriors are open to facilitating such a deal, ensuring Thompson lands in a desirable destination while Golden State receives compensation for their departing star.
Josh Green is a potential candidate for Dallas to include in any sign-and-trade with Golden State. The 23-year-old, who signed a three-year, $41 million rookie contract extension last October, is set to earn $12.6 million next season. Green would become an unrestricted free agent in 2027, making him a valuable trade piece.
To sweeten the deal, Dallas could offer more than just Green. Despite sending out three second-round picks in their trade with the Pistons, the Mavericks still hold first-round picks for 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2030. Their 2027 first-round pick is top-two protected but would otherwise go to the Charlotte Hornets. Additionally, the Mavericks possess a $4.9 million trade exception that must be used before it expires on July 8.
Klay Thompson presents a tantalizing prospect for the Mavericks, offering a significant boost to their shooting prowess. However, bringing him to Dallas will require mutual interest and some savvy financial maneuvering. As the saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” and the Mavericks seem determined to find that way.
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