Without a doubt, All-Star wing Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors are headed for a split in the coming days. If that goes down, the Dallas Mavericks are rumored to be the favorites to land the Splash Brother in free agency.
Thompson’s time with the Warriors is nearing a potential end. After spending over a decade with the team, winning four NBA championships, the past two weeks have seen little communication between Thompson and the Warriors organization. Both sides now believe that Thompson’s time in the Bay Area is coming to a close.
![Dallas Mavericks Reportedly the 'Team To Beat' in Klay Thompson Free Agency [NBA Rumors] 1 Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USATSI_23013390-scaled.jpg)
Thompson, a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Third Team selection, has been a crucial part of the Warriors’ dynastic run. He and All-Star guard Stephen Curry have rewritten the NBA’s three-point shooting records. However, Thompson’s injury history, including an ACL tear in 2019, has complicated his future with the team.
The lack of contract negotiations and Thompson’s social media activity suggest that the sharpshooting guard may be exploring opportunities elsewhere. After helping the Warriors win championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, Thompson’s departure would mark the end of a highly successful era in Golden State. Both the team and the player appear to be preparing for what could be a difficult transition in the coming months.
NBA Insider Claims Dallas Mavericks Favored To Land Klay Thompson in Free Agency
![Dallas Mavericks Reportedly the 'Team To Beat' in Klay Thompson Free Agency [NBA Rumors] 2 Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USATSI_22532443_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
After the Warriors failed to sign Thompson to a new deal in free agency, there have been rumors that the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are the favorites to land the Splash Brother. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, it looks like the latter is shaping up to be the team to beat in this matter.
“What really changed Saturday is that the Warriors ultimately struck out on George and now the Lakers, by virtue of LeBron James’ reported willingness to take a paycut if one of the “right targets” (as described by my podcast partner Chris Haynes of Turner Sports) consents to take L.A.’s $13 million midlevel exception, have joined Dallas in the race to secure Thompson’s commitment in free agency.
Barring an 11th-hour resuscitation of Thompson’s relationship with the Warriors that no one close to the process was willing to predict Saturday night, those are projected to be the two teams at the forefront of Thompson’s thinking … with even some in Lakerland said to regard Dallas as the team to beat.
Despite the obvious pull that the Lakers have with the sharpshooter from Southern California, whose father Mychal played for the Lakers and still calls games for them on radio, league sources continued to stress to The Stein Line that — as first reported here Friday — there will be strong mutual interest between Thompson and the Mavericks,” Stein said.
During the Finals, the Mavs relied heavily on MVP candidate Luka Doncic and All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. Having Thompson in the lineup gives them an experienced shooter to space the floor and add another layer to their offense.
![Dallas Mavericks Reportedly the 'Team To Beat' in Klay Thompson Free Agency [NBA Rumors] 3 Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USATSI_22534718-scaled.jpg)
It remains to be seen whether Dallas can land Thompson or not in free agency. In any case, a lot of people will be watching out where he will go for next season.
![Dallas Mavericks Reportedly the 'Team To Beat' in Klay Thompson Free Agency [NBA Rumors] 4 Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USATSI_22508509-scaled.jpg)
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