After 13 supreme seasons, four NBA Championships, five NBA All-Star appearances, and two All-NBA teams, Klay Thompson could leave the Golden State Warriors this off-season. So, what is his most likely destination, and what are the chances he does choose to leave the only home his NBA career has ever known? Dive into all of Klay Thompson's next team odds and my best bets below.
Klay Thompson Next Team Odds 2024-25
Team | Odds |
---|---|
Golden State Warriors | -150 |
Orlando Magic | +300 |
Philadelphia 76ers | +1600 |
Oklahoma City Thunder | +1600 |
Dallas Mavericks | +1600 |
Los Angeles Lakers | +1600 |
Sacramento Kings | +2000 |
Miami Heat | +2000 |
San Antonio Spurs | +2000 |
New York Knicks | +5000 |
New Orleans Pelicans | +5000 |
Odds as of May 30
Why Klay Thompson could finally leave Golden State
Klay and Warriors are at a tipping point. On the one hand, the "Splash Brothers" era has been the most successful in Warriors history. The trio of Steph Curry, Klay and Draymond have been the backbone of Golden State's NBA dynasty. On the other, the team is nearly capped out already, and their current roster just failed to even make the NBA Playoffs.
As we've seen countless times (see: Hakeem Olajuwon in Toronto, Patrick Ewing in Orlando, Karl Malone and Gary Payton in Los Angeles), even NBA legends rarely spend their entire careers' with one team.
With Steph Curry's cap hit at over $55-million, Chris Paul being paid $30-million, and Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green each making over $24-million next season, the Warriors are in a financial dilemma. Re-signing Thompson would almost assuredly leave General Manager Mike Dunleavy's team above the dreaded second-apron tax line. Meaning they'd be unable to trade their first-round pick seven years in the future, would lose the ability to use the mid-level exception to build out the roster, and would be barred from taking on any surplus salary in trades. Additionally, teams' who surpass the second-apron in three of five seasons automatically have their first-round pick moved to the bottom of the first-round in the NBA Draft. Golden State was in the second-apron last season, and won't want to pay the penalty again.
A Thompson extension coming anywhere near the max (approximately $55-million per year) would undoubtedly take Golden State above the second-apron yet again. Even with a rumored Chris Paul trade potentially on the horizon. So where does that leave Klay?
Klay Thompson Next Team Best Bet
While he's favored to stay in Golden State, the salary cap gymnastics needed will likely force Thompson to ply his trade elsewhere during 2024-25 NBA season. He likely wants to match up his time in California with that of Steph and head coach Steve Kerr who are both under contract for two more years. That being said, the Warriors reportedly offered Thompson a two-year, $48-million extension last summer, which he declined.
If Dunleavy and Thompson can't agree on terms quickly, other NBA contenders could pounce.
The Magic and Klay Thompson both have interest in each other.
— 🦉 Lakers Vino (@VinoUncorked) May 6, 2024
via @ShamsCharania
This could be a huge summer for the Orlando Magic who can free up to $60m worth of cap space and build around their young talented core.
pic.twitter.com/G1fVoD20Q6
The young Orlando Magic have long been rumored as Thompson suitors. Their gaping $62-million of cap space only fuels the speculation. Orlando desperately needs shooting, defensive prowess and some veteran experience to aid their young core. Klay would be the perfect fit on the wing to help Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero take the next step. Next to so many long, defensively dominant athletes, the pressure will be off of Klay to guard the opponents' best player every night. He can simply focus on shooting the lights out on the offensive end.
Orlando has the ability to offer Klay as much money as he wants to make the cross-country move to the East coast. The Magic are an excellent bet as Klay Thompson's next team at +300 odds.