Should Mavs Pursue Warriors Star Klay Thompson in Free Agency Sign & Trade?
The Golden State Warriors aren’t the juggernaut, dynasty team they used to be, but certain pieces on their roster could still bring valuable championship experience to other teams on the rise as soon as this summer.
Klay Thompson, who is on an expiring $43.2 million contract, isn’t the superstar sidekick to Stephen Curry that he used to be before enduring back-to-back knee and Achilles injuries, but he has shown that he can still produce points at a high level.
Over his last 14 games, a span where the Warriors have gone 9-5, Thompson is averaging 18.3 points while shooting 45.1 percent from the field, 41.1 percent on 8.9 attempts from deep, and 91.3 percent from the free-throw line. The 34-year-old four-time champion reportedly turned down a two-year, $48 million extension offer from the Warriors last summer, and if the two sides can’t come to terms on a new deal, Thompson should start looking at potential new destinations where his talents will be best utilized.
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The Orlando Magic have been rumored as a team that has interest in Thompson this coming offseason, but we believe the Dallas Mavericks could make a lot of sense as well. Not only would Thompson’s elite catch-and-shoot ability be perfect alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but the Mavs would have the contracts needed to send the Warriors in a sign-and-trade to give Thompson the contract he desires. It wouldn’t be ideal to overpay for an aging star, but with the way Thompson plays the game, it’s easy to see him having several more productive years ahead of him.
Although the Mavs have had moments where they look like title contenders since adding Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the trade deadline, the team needs more consistency from the role Tim Hardaway Jr. plays, and Thompson could be the perfect player for that job.
The Mavs’ new majority ownership, the Adelson family, has deep pockets, and they won’t be afraid to fork out money if it means building a legitimate title contender. Irving has also hinted at the team looking ahead to “interesting” free-agency pools in the next year or so as well, so we’re keeping an eye out for Dallas’ next big move.
For now, though, the Mavs are hoping to build consistency and go on a deep playoff run with the roster they currently have. Dallas is 5-0 when Gafford starts at center, and Doncic is on a historic triple-double streak as the Mavs welcome the Warriors to American Airlines Center on Wednesday night. With Curry out due to recovering from an ankle injury, the Mavs could get an extended look at Thompson in this one.
