Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks will have “strong mutual interest” when NBA free agency opens on Sunday, sources tell Marc Stein. The Mavericks created salary cap flexibility on Friday when they traded away Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons. Dallas entered the offseason prioritzing Derrick Jones Jr. and it not clear if they could afford to sign both him and Thompson.
There is a growing belief around the league that Thompson’s relationship with the Golden State Warriors cannot be repaired. The Warriors and Thompson are nowhere close to a contract agreement and the team has wanted to delay those talks while they pursue trade opportunities. Steve Kerr appeared on The Jim Rome Show earlier this week and said that he “desperately” wants Thompson to re-sign.
If Thompson leaves the Warriors, his preference is to remain in the Western Conference. However, the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers could also have interest in Thompson.
Thompson, who is represented by Greg Lawrence, is coming off a five-year, $190 million contract agreed upon in 2019 following his ACL tear in Game 6 of The Finals. In 77 games last season, Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 38.7 percent on three-pointers.