The Golden State Warriors reportedly offered Klay Thompson a two-year contract ahead of free agency, but there’s a chance Thompson might refuse it.
If that happens, the Warriors have until June 30th to make a new proposal to Thompson in order to keep him from entering free agency.
There’s some speculation that the number of years might be more important to Thompson than the total money offered.
This could be because a shorter contract allows him to test the market again sooner. However, it’s also reported that Thompson might be looking for a longer deal.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Orlando Magic are reportedly the team that interests Thompson the most as a potential free agent destination.
“What we are seeing in this sense is truly unprecedented. This is the first time in Klay Thompson’s career that he has been so willing to explore new options and teams in free agency.” Charania said.
“The Orlando Magic is certainly the option that most pleases the player. The interest between the parties continues to be mutual at this moment.” Charania added.
Thompson is known for his elite three-point shooting, which is an area where the Magic struggled last season.
However, Thompson’s recent injuries raise questions about how much he has left in the tank, and a long-term deal might be a risk for Orlando.
Thompson’s 2023-24 season was a struggle. He averaged a career-low 17.9 points per game and shot a disappointing 38.7% from three-point range, well below his usual marksmanship.
His contributions in rebounding (3.3 per game) and assists (2.3 per game) were also minimal. These underwhelming stats led him to come off the bench for some games during the season.
Thompson may be hesitant to commit to a long-term deal coming off a down year, while the Warriors might be cautious about offering a big contract after his injury history and recent performance.