Latest twist in Klay Thompson saga casts doubt on Warriors return

The writing isn't quite on the wall just yet, but as the start of NBA free agency draws near, it looks more and more likely that the core of the Golden State Warriors dynasty will be no more. While the Warriors and Klay Thompson have been unable to come to terms on a new deal, the 34-year-old shooting guard has been linked to numerous teams.

One team that continues to circulate in the rumor mill, though, is the Dallas Mavericks.

In the latest edition of The Stein Line by Marc Stein, the veteran NBA reporter cited the belief that Thompson's relationship with the Warriors is "irretrievable." More importantly, Stein said that "strong mutual interest" is expected at the start of free agency between the five-time NBA All-Star and the Mavericks.

"The latest evidence of that: Amid a growing belief leaguewide that Thompson's relationship with the Golden State Warriors is irretrievable," Stein writes, "strong mutual interest between Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks is expected when free agency opens Sunday evening, league sources tell The Stein Line."

Stein dubbed Dallas the projected favorite to land Thompson and it's hard to argue that there's a better free agency fit for him. Thompson's outside shooting (among other things), would be a welcome addition alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. 

If this is the final chapter of Thompson's NBA career, he would surely receive plenty of open looks and space while potentially being the missing piece that could push the Mavericks over the hump. The Mavericks appear set on building off the momentum from their NBA Finals run and adding one of the top shooters on the open market would show they're ready to push all their chips into the middle to win now.