Klay Thompson, Mavericks reportedly have “strong mutual interest,” Warriors focused on Paul George

LA Clippers v Golden State Warriors

Klay Thompson’s time with the Golden State Warriors — 13 seasons and four rings — appears about to end. And Paul George might slide into his place in the Bay Area.

Thompson and the Warriors remain nowhere close in negotiations for a new contract and his agent has been testing the waters — and Thompson could be catching passes from Luka Doncic next season. There is a “strong mutual interest between Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks,” Marc Stein reported in his latest newsletter.

On the court, it’s easy to see how Thompson fits. He may not be the player he was at his peak, but the 34-year-old averaged 17.9 points a game last season while shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc. He could step into the role that belonged to Tim Hardaway Jr., whom the Mavericks just traded to the Pistons (although that could require Thompson coming off the bench).

The problem is that getting Thompson to Dallas would require a sign-and-trade trade with Golden State, where the Warriors could drive a hard bargain. Thompson reportedly is seeking a contract worth well above $20 million annually but all the Mavericks can offer to a free agent is the $12.9 million mid-level exception, and Dallas has that money targeted to bring back Derrick Jones Jr. (which Mavs president Nico Harrison said was the team’s top offseason priority).

The Warriors and Mavericks could work out a sign-and-trade, something like Josh Green and Maxi Kleber for Thompson re-signed at $22 million a season. Would Dallas want to give up two rotation players for a 34-year-old two-guard? On the other side, is a trade like that good enough for Golden State, or would it want a pick, too? The Warriors are into the second apron, so there are restrictions on any trade and how much money they can take back.

The Warriors are focused elsewhere, having “prioritized” getting Paul George up to the Bay Area, Stein reports.

George and the Clippers are nowhere near a contract extension — George wants four years and $221 million, his max, while the Clippers reportedly are offering more like three years, $150 million. George looked at the free agent…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/klay-thompson-mavericks-reportedly-strong-151207224.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2024-06-29 15:12:07

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