Following their play-in loss against the Sacramento Kings which saw them eliminated from playoff contention, the Golden State Warriors have a big decision to make about Klay Thompson’s future.
Although Steph Curry and Steve Kerr have made it clear that they want to run it back, Thompson is set to hit free agency this summer and is expected to test the open market since he appeared non-committal to Kerr and Curry’s plea, at least for now.
According to Sam Amick from The Athletic, one of the teams to look out for in the Klay Thompson sweepstakes is the Dallas Mavericks, while the Orlando Magic are keeping tabs too, as these two teams can benefit from adding a proven veteran shooter, albeit on a cheaper contract.
Should the Golden State Warriors keep or let go of Klay Thompson?
Klay Thompson has declined since suffering major leg injuries from 2019 to 2021. After being a starter for most of his NBA career, Klay Thompson was asked to play off the bench during the 2023-24 regular season, and to his credit, he has embraced his new role despite some early reservations.
His 17.9 points per game average was his lowest since the 2013-14 season, although he shot 38.7 percent from three-point range and a career-high 92.7 percent from the free throw line.
Against the Sacramento Kings in the play-in, Klay Thompson went cold at the wrong time, as he didn’t score a single point after going 0-for-10 from the field.
And with their core not getting any younger, as Chris Paul will be 39 in May, Steph Curry is 36, and Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are both 34, Golden State Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. might have to consider breaking this team up, similar to what the Boston Celtics did in 2013 when they traded Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets.
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