Warriors' Klay Thompson to Magic? NBA Free Agency Rumor

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson is entering free agency this summer. Could the Orlando Magic sign him?

Jeremy Brener | Feb 16, 2024

In this story:

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic need shooting, and Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson -- one of the league's best to ever shoot 3-pointers -- could be in need of a new home.

Perhaps the two make sense for a marriage?

The Athletic's Shams Charania is reporting that Thompson could test free agency ... and the Magic could be a suitor.

Klay Thompson Jalen Suggs — Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

"He's set to be a free agent at the end of the season ... I would expect both Florida teams, I would expect both L.A. teams ... to have interest in Klay Thompson," Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show.

Thompson, who just turned 34, is averaging 17.3 points per game, the lowest total since the 2012-13 season, his second year in the league.

Thompson is in the final season of a five-year, $189 million contract and he isn't likely to get the same kind of money on his next deal, even from the Warriors, his only NBA home since he entered the league in 2011.

A team like the Magic with more cap space than most could be willing to pay Thompson a substantial amount of money. With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner still on rookie contracts and Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony on very team-friendly deals, Orlando can make a push for a top free agent.

'Constant Belief' Propels Banchero to All-Star Game

The Magic are also in need of some shooting. As a team, the Magic shoot 34.8 percent from distance, which is good for 29th in the NBA.

Thompson would have a hand in changing that and he could help the Magic take the next step in their title hopes.

Published Feb 16, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.