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Klay Thompson will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The veteran sharpshooter is yet to agree terms on a contract extension with the Golden State Warriors.
According to The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, the Orlando Magic are emerging as potential suitors to acquire the four-time champion.
“One of the worst-kept secrets in the league is that Orlando, loaded with young talent but not with shooters, might offer Klay a ton of money next summer,” Kawakami reported. “Meanwhile, Joe Lacob has said the Warriors want to get all the way out of the luxury tax next summer, which is possible, but only if they are very disciplined about how much they’re willing to pay to keep Klay (and/or CP3). Put bluntly, Klay is the only one of the big three who might end up more valuable to another team than what the Warriors want to pay him.”
Thompson has had an inconsistent season for the Warriors. Coach Steve Kerr moved the veteran to his bench rotation for the first time in his career.
However, since Kerr made that decision, Thompson has been playing his best basketball of the season. He is still one of the best three-and-d wings in the NBA when motivated.
The Magic need experience. They are overachieving due to their roster’s exceptional young talent and will get their first taste of postseason basketball in the coming weeks.
Nevertheless, Thompson would instantly become the leader of Orlando’s locker room. He would help develop the younger stars while also playing a prominent role as a floor spacer. His gravity would open up driving lanes for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
Thompson has been vocal about his desire to retire in the Bay Area. He wants to end his career as a one-team player. However, if the Magic are willing to overpay to get their man, and Thompson wants a significant role on a team, now might be the perfect time for him to cash in and experience something new in the final years of his career.
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