The Golden State Warriors infamously capped off their 2023-24 NBA season with out reaching the postseason. Following an embarrassing loss to the Sacramento Kings within the Play-In Match, the Warriors’ shortcomings have been an indication that modifications are impending within the upcoming offseason. Amongst these modifications might embody a brand new residence for one beloved member of the core three, Klay Thompson.

Thompson had his worst recreation as a Warrior in what might probably be his final recreation with the crew within the win-or-go-home matchup in opposition to the Kings. The four-time champion completed with 0 factors on 0-10 taking pictures and regarded just like the shell of the participant he as soon as was. Thompson’s function has shifted with the crew all through the season, being relegated to a bench function the place he displayed constructive strides.

There’s loads of uncertainty looming round Thompson’s future with the Warriors. The potential of Thompson enjoying for a brand new crew initially of the 2024-25 NBA season is sort of actual. Nevertheless, there are just a few groups that will be an ideal match for Thompson’s skillset.

1 Golden State Warriors

Thompson returns, conserving the dynasty core collectively

It is unimaginable to say the groups that Thompson suits with out mentioning the Warriors. Though the connection hasn’t been fairly for the reason that former five-time All-Star returned from consecutive season-ending accidents, the historical past between the 2 is an excessive amount of to miss.

Golden State provided Thompson a two-year, $48 million contract extension earlier than the 2023-24 season began. Thompson declined the provide in hopes of receiving a most contract. Sadly for the Warriors legend, Thompson has regressed in his offensive productiveness. His level complete is the bottom of his profession since his sophomore season and he has dwindled to a 43 p.c shooter from the sphere.

Thompson confirmed nice humility in sacrificing a beginning function for the crew’s sake. The participant he’s now’s a lot completely different than the participant he was pre-injury. Nevertheless, it will take Thompson to decrease his wage expectations to make a return to Golden State a real risk. The Warriors’ proprietor, Joe Lacob, went on The TK Present with The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, and voiced that ducking the posh tax is “Plan 1A.”

Thompson has proven simply how good he could be within the Warriors’ system, but when the 2 cannot come to a standard floor, he could be anticipated to plant a house elsewhere.

2 Orlando Magic

A lot-needed veteran management for a younger budding crew

The Orlando Magic might probably be the perfect scenario for Thompson exterior the Golden State Warriors. Orlando made a big enchancment this season, securing their first NBA playoff berth since 2020. The Magic shocked the league with their sudden surge onto the scene, however there are main deficiencies that forestall them from reaching the following stage which Thompson can handle.

Though the Magic is the second-best defensive crew within the league, they’re the twenty second offensive crew. Their lack of ability to attain the ball stems from their lack of three-point taking pictures. Orlando ranks twenty fifth in three-point taking pictures. This permits groups to simply recreation plan in opposition to them by packing the paint and daring them to shoot three-pointers. The Magic additionally may have sufficient flexibility to open up a most contract spot.

After all, Thompson will not be provided such a profitable deal, however he might obtain an analogous deal to the two-year, $48 million contract the Warriors provided which will now not be on the desk. Thompson would instantly present a much-needed carry within the taking pictures division and function nice veteran chief for a younger crew that desperately wants it.

3 Dallas Mavericks

Thompson is the proper complimentary piece to the Mavericks’ celebrity duo

Though the offseason remains to be a methods away, the Dallas Mavericks have been reported to have curiosity in Thompson come this summer season. The Athletic’s Sam Amick broke the information that the Mavericks could also be a doable suitor for Thompson.

Financially, the Mavericks would not have the ability to signal Thompson outright and would want to finish a sign-and-trade with the Warriors. Nevertheless, the match could be seamless. Thompson’s expectations could be altered tremendously with the Mavericks, as Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić are the first offensive contributors. In contrast to Golden State, the place the crew’s success depends on Thompson to carry out, that would not essentially be the case in Dallas.

Thompson would have the ability to carry a ability set that’s desperately missing inside this Mavericks crew. Dallas is eleventh within the league in three-point taking pictures at 37.6 p.c on the season. Though Thompson is recent off a down yr of 38.7 p.c taking pictures from three this season, traditionally, he is been a 41 p.c three-point shooter at a excessive quantity of seven.6 per recreation.

With the Warriors, Thompson is defended by the second-best opposing defender and typically the perfect defender when Stephen Curry is on the bench. Alongside Irving and Dončić, Thompson could be the third possibility and be poised for simpler alternatives with the Mavericks.

4 Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers can provide the cash that Thompson wishes

The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the vital fascinating groups within the NBA resulting from their versatile monetary scenario this offseason. The Sixers might free as much as $58 million in cap area. Philadelphia has been tied to Los Angeles Clippers ahead Paul George, who might be part of Thompson as a free agent. Nevertheless, Thompson could be a superb match within the metropolis of concord.

Joel Embiid is arguably essentially the most dominant participant within the NBA, attracting as many as three defenders on any given possession. Within the 2023-24 season, Embiid considerably improved his playmaking potential, averaging a career-high 5.6 assists per recreation.

Embiid has a monitor report of enjoying extraordinarily effectively off of three-point shooters in two-man motion. It was evident with JJ Redick and Seth Curry, proving that Thompson would gel instantly based mostly on his expertise with the previous MVP.

Thompson would enhance Philadelphia’s three-point taking pictures because the crew ranks nineteenth within the league from past the arc at 36.7 p.c. The Sixers could be a scenario that will alleviate Thompson of any strain to reside as much as the fame of the participant he as soon as was.

5 Chicago Bulls

Chicago could possibly be a darkish horse suitor for the legendary shooter

The Chicago Bulls have made it recognized that being aggressive is a degree of emphasis for this crew and Thompson could possibly be an enormous contributor to the trigger.

Thompson to the Bulls is a bit far-fetched, however the match is simple. For Thompson to make his method to the Windy Metropolis, it will imply DeMar DeRozan would go elsewhere in free company. Thompson would not be DeRozan’s substitute, however could be a greater complimentary piece for the Bulls’ younger star, Coby White.

Chicago was one of many worst three-point taking pictures groups this season, ranked twenty seventh at 32.9 p.c. DeRozan, notoriously a mid-range shooter, is not important in creating constructive spacing on the court docket. Thompson would permit the Bulls to open up the offense and provides extra room to White to assault downhill, the place he’s greatest.

The match between DeRozan and White hasn’t been ultimate, because the duo posted a internet ranking of -0.7 in over 2000 minutes. Thompson could possibly be a recent face wanted for the crew to stay aggressive and propel to a stage that the crew hasn’t been in a position to eclipse over the previous couple of seasons.

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