NBA Free Agency: Klay Thompson Forced to Accept Grim Fate as Magic’s $66 Million Move Halts Rampant Links

After a long run with the Warriors front office to bag what was due, Klay Thompson finally had to accept the reality—his days in his home of nearly 13 years had come to an end. In free agency for the first time in his career, there were a few teams that were rumored to be happy to pay him his worth. And one among them was none other than the fifth-youngest team in the league, Orlando Magic. With significant cap space and a young core, they were rumored to pay big money to Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Thompson.

The news about KCP had just dropped, with ESPN’s Wojnarowski confirming that the Nuggets veteran and the Magic were finalizing a 3-year $66 million contract. So that’s Magic crossed off the list.

So where does that leave one of the finest shooters in the league?

Despite a downhill graph since his injuries, can we really take that recognition away from the 34-year-old? According to a keen-eyed hoop fan, Orlando’s Caldwell-Pope move and the Clippers‘ two-year deal with Kevin Porter Jr. leaves the 4x champion with a shorter list, with signs pointing to the Mavs. And in a role that he wasn’t too happy with last season at the Dubs – coming off the bench.

Porter Jr. is making his NBA comeback after a lawsuit for domestic violence charges was filed against him last year. The 24-year-old had pleaded guilty and finished the rest of his season in the Greek league.

As for Klay Thompson, yes, he had spoken glowingly about being the Sixth Man for a franchise he had come to love, respect, and wished to retire with. However, the reported lack of sincerity from the team he gave his life to was the final straw. “The Warriors, after other business, have wanted to circle back and negotiate with Thompson.”

“But he isn’t expected to be there waiting as a willing secondary priority in their summer plan, with his side feeling that the Warriors’ interest in a reunion has been disingenuous,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, had pointed out earlier.

It was clear that there hadn’t been any further developments between them after that. But how will a trade between Klay and the Mavs look?

Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks – yes or no?

With things almost close to ending between the Golden State and Thompson, the next step they are looking to execute is a sign-and-trade that’s mutually beneficial. And as per Marc Stein, both Dallas and the Sea Captain have “a strong mutual interest”. In fact, he reported that they are giving Klay the same priority as re-signing Derrick Jones Jr.

Joining Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Thompson could arguably become the new lethal shooting threat in Texas. Of course, it’s only a possibility. But if it does come true, Dallas will have themselves a three-headed hydra. Now that we have that out of the way, the next, well, actually, the foremost aspect is the negotiation of a deal.

An unrestricted free agent, Klay will likely garner a paycheck of not more than $13 million annually.

While the Mavericks could give him the whole $12.9 million mid-level exception, it would prevent them from re-signing their own star free agent, Jones Jr. And that’s where the sign-and-trade comes into play. The Dubs are more than welcome to facilitate such a deal. Not only will it allow the Dubs to give Thompson his desired destination, but the franchise can get a little something from it, too.

Josh Green comes as the top candidate for the ‘Big D’ to include in a sign-and-trade. They also have quite a few first-round draft picks to sweeten the pot. So, there you have it. Do you think this a likely scenario? Or would Klay Thompson try his luck with another team?

Tell us your thoughts.

 But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe.

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