According to a recent report, Golden State Warriors Shooting Guard will be courted heavily by the Orlando Magic when he becomes a free agent this offseason. Thompson is in the final year of his five-year $189 million contract he signed in 2019. The four-time champion was reportedly offered a two-year $48 million contract extension with the Warriors in December of 2023 that he rejected. Contract negotiations between Thompson and Golden State have reportedly hit an impasse which essentially ensures he will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Would Thompson be a good fit with the Orlando Magic?
“One of the worst-kept secrets in the league is that Orlando, loaded with young talent but not with shooters, might offer Klay a ton of money next summer.” ?
(Via https://t.co/HMcgmcAjwP) pic.twitter.com/xgK77P40i6
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 8, 2024
Klay Thompson Has Been Up And Down This Season
Thompson was sent to the bench by Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr earlier this season for the first time in his illustrious NBA career. Thompson has been open about his struggles coming off the bench this season as he struggles to come to terms with the player her now is. Kerr said this earlier in the year about Thompson:
“This is a season where he’s had a lot of ups and downs. It’s not easy for a guy who’s been so good and a Hall of Fame player to deal with the injuries and … it’s never easy for any player, getting older. (But) he’s mentally tough.”
Thompson has seemingly settled into his new role with the team scoring 28 or more points in three of his last seven games. Even with a late-season resurgence, 2023-2024 has been the worst season of Thompson’s Hall of Fame career. Thompson’s 17.6 points per game is his lowest since the 2012-2013 season. Thompson, one of the best shooters in NBA history, is having a career-worst season from deep at 38.4 percent.
Klay Thompson’s Fit With the Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic(46-32) are currently tied for third in the Eastern Conference. They will be in the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2019-2020. Orlando is the fourth-youngest team in the National Basketball Association and Thompson would provide the team with much-needed playoff experience. Orlando is led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and are one of the best defenses in the league. Orlando’s problems this season have been on the offensive end of the floor. They are averaging 110.6 points per game this season, the sixth-fewest in the league. They are also averaging the fewest made three per game at just over 11. Thompson would provide Orlando with a jolt of offense.
Thompson is not the player he once was but would be a huge signing by a young Orlando Magic team that looks to build toward the future.
About The Author
Justin has always loved sports. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated and 247Sports. Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports