2024 NBA Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Klay Thompson, Tobias Harris, More

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Klay Thompson may have played his final game for the Golden State Warriors, for whom he won four NBA titles and established himself as a future Hall of Famer.

The prolific three-point shooter was 0-6 from beyond the arc, indicating how bad a night Thompson had. Add 0-10 from the pain, just four rebounds, and a lone assist, and you have a player whose potential final appearance for the franchise he helped raise to prominence was as bad as it gets.

Head coach Steve Kerr believes the team needs Thompson back, stating as much emphatically after the play-in loss to Sacramento.

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“We need Klay back… He’s still got good years left… What Klay has meant to this franchise… we desperately want him back.”

Warriors HC Steve Kerr on the future of Klay Thompson pic.twitter.com/EIT1Ci0JM5

Kerr and Green’s desires may be moot as two teams have already been linked to Thompson in free agency.

Most frequently has been the Orlando Magic, a young team with a bright future but needing perimeter shooters. Thompson would fit that need, assuming he can rebound from a lackluster conclusion to his season.

Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote that the Dallas Mavericks are a team to watch in the Thompson sweepstakes as the organization chases its first NBA title since 2011. With the team already facing cap issues and the potential trade of Penny Hardaway Jr., one has to wonder if the Mavs would realistically look at Thompson and a contract that will likely be for more than what they are already paying Hardaway ($16.2 million).

With ESPN’s Zack Lowe believing any potential suitor could draw inspiration from Jrue Holliday’s deal (four years, $135 million), any team looking to land Thompson will have to shell out significantly more than Hardaways’ relatively modest deal.

Assuming the Magic can free up some space and are serious about adding Thompson’s shooting ability to a roster that is one player away from making a legitimate splash in the Eastern Conference, they feel like a team better suited for the longtime Warrior.

That is unless Golden State can make it work and retain the core trio of him, Green, and Steph Curry.

Prediction: Thompson ends up going elsewhere, signs with Magic

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