“Strong mutual interest” is expected between Klay Thompson and the Mavericks when free agency opens on Sunday night, NBA insider Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack post.
Reports have long indicated the lack of contact between Thompson and the Warriors, the team with which he’s won four rings and played since 2011. Now, Stein says he’s heard from multiple sources that the Mavs are likely to emerge as the favorites to sign the Splash Brother.
Having agreed to send Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Pistons, the Mavericks will have some additional financial flexibility and are expected to be able to make a competitive multiyear contract offer to the five-time All-Star, Stein writes. However, with no cap room available, Dallas would likely need Golden State’s cooperation for a sign-and-trade deal — it’s not “immediately clear” whether such a deal could be negotiated, Stein acknowledges.
It’s also not known whether the Mavs would be able to retain Derrick Jones Jr. if they were to land Thompson, Stein adds. Jones, who was an instrumental piece en route to the Mavs’ NBA Finals appearance, is poised to sign with Klutch Sports for representation as he prepares to enter free agency, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
As has been reported, teams with cap space like Orlando and Philadelphia are expected to show interest in Thompson if he doesn’t return to the Warriors, but it’s believed that his preference is to remain in the Western Conference, according to Stein.
SNT
Mavs offer Washington to Warriors?
No, they won’t trade PJ.
For salary matching purposes
Need at least one of the following 3
PJ
Jose Green
Gafford
Warriors don’t want Maxi Kleber
They probably would need to bring in a third team for a sign and trade. Nobody want Kleber. Josh Green would be a high cost too.
So now you are replying to your own messages?
Sure, if they’re idiots.
A fresh start with a new team and properly adjusted expectations might help Klay between the ears. Warriors fans can’t separate what he used to mean for that franchise with what he is now. 3 major knee reconstructions will change anyone and their capabilities, tenfold for a high level athletic performer. I still think he can be solid contributor to many teams with his head on straight about who he is and what he can accomplish on the court. I just hope he never tries to dunk ever again.
This is a fair point but you don’t mentiom $. At 3/75 teams will line up for Klay at 4/160 he is on an islamd
Yes, ONE team may offer Klay years and money, but I’d be surprised really if a team offers a fading 35 year old player more than one year guaranteed, and I think the yearly money will be much MUCH lower than you project
No team will give Klay a 3 yr deal. He can still shoot, but he’s now a liability defensively and he has lost his first step.
.
After this season, there are ZERO Warriors fans who believe Klay is still an NBA starter. Klay himself admits that he’s better coming off the bench
Someone like orlando may. Got loads of guys still on rookie scale deals. Also got guys like Ingles and a Cole Anthony types who’s salary could be moved. Philly?
@nrg82 Magic have at least 3 big rookie extensions to pay shortly: Suggs and Wagner this summer, Banchero next summer. They’re due to pay these guys, combined, $100M than they are now.
Paying a 37 year old $25M to come off the bench in a small market will cost you your job.
The problem is, by all accounts, Klay also could not separate what he used to be vs what he is now, and it caused on-court problems on top of the skill level decline.
If he can get his head right, I definitely think he can be more effective than he was last season. And that is valuable to teams at the right price. But it’s ultimately up to him.
Warriors need to let Klay walk. Next deal would be to move in a trade Paul and Wiggins and see what the youngster can do. They should have some cap space and get out of tax payers jail this way.
I rather see the Mavs get Jerami Grant; however, if Mavs can’t get Grant but get Thompson for two years for $20-25M a year by trading Maxi and Josh Green (possibly to a third team) for a sign and trade for Thompson and sign DJJ for non tax MLE then win-win for everyone.
How is that a win for the Warriors? They arent going to take trash they dont want back in a S&T and they may be unwilling to cap themselves at the first apron.
Klay can take the MLE from DAL or he can not go to DAL without a serious sweetner.
3 yrs $72m
Take that fool
It’s not a good fit….Iso crazy play off what luka and Kyrie can do. Ball, player movement on a team that gets up quick shots is Klay, Mavs aren’t that.
Ha ha. Luka creates so many open 3’s. It’s a perfect fit.
Lmfao. So many? Did you watch the finals? Did you watch the warriors in their title winning seasons? Mavs don’t get up anywhere near the threes of these teams. Stagnant on the Offensive end hence a 4-1 hiding. Be good in the 90’s though, except for that MJ guy.
Just say u don’t watch the mavs lmao
I just watched my team prison sex the mavs no lube. Luka is and has been one of my favourite players BTW. Been watching him since he was a kid at Madrid. Named my daughter after him, Other daughter….. Tatum. Maybe you just don’t understand basketball?
So because the Celtics were a better team (especially defensively) and they are your favorite team that means you can just make up nonsense and try to pass it off as the truth? Mavs were 3rd in the league in 3 point field goals and second in 3 point field goals made. Why don’t you get some facts and then try talking. Are you making up the fact that you have kids too? Haha give me a break.
you psychotically named your kids what?!?!?!?
You watch basketball and complain about first names?
You might want to look up “psychotic” and see if it fits in this scenario.
Really hope the Mavs don’t do anything stupid like this. You made a fantastic deal in getting rid of THJ, don’t ruin all the cap space on this guy. I’m still a big believer in Klay but he’s an old SG that wants top dollar. Your two best players are guards. Doesn’t make sense, when you have a big need at SF for someone younger who can offer more on defence.
I’d rather see them package Kleber and Green for a wing like Hunter or Wiggins
They don’t have any cap space
Klay can probably still avg 20-25 PPG with barely passable defense if he was the primary scorer on a bad team, which is a fair player, but one who doesn’t make big money. But he still thinks he is a starter on a good team or top 5 MPG guy on a good team or max deal guy, when he really isn’t.
Max deal guy ?
This is for 12.9 a year
This is the worst scenario for me tbh =/
This has to be a joke. Klay to the Mavs makes zero sense for the Mavs. He’s the worst possible fit of any free agent.
Mavs needed defenders to compensate for Kyrie and Luka. That’s why they brought in Jones and PJ. (Remember Reggie Bullock?)
Klay can still shoot, but the injuries have (tragically) made him a sub-standard on-ball defender. That’s why he can’t start for the Warriors
Playing Luka, Kyrie and Klay together would make Dallas, unquestionably, the worst defensive team in the league.
Even his shooting has gone down across the board with the exception of FTs. He needs volume just to hit the numbers he’s had in the past for PPG.
Weird…
Makes no sense for the Mavs to add another guard who struggles at defence…