One of Warriors legend Klay Thompson's realistic potential suitors may not offer him the enticing free-agent contract he desires.
The Orlando Magic are expected to prioritize short-term deals in negotiating with their stars and top role players during free agency, which is the opposite of what Thompson wants, Yahoo! Sports senior insider Jake Fischer reported Friday.
“Orlando certainly has intentions to acquire a veteran guard/wing who can play without putting too much oxygen on the ball while still creating space around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, sources said,” Fisher said.
“Orlando appears willing to offer only a short-term deal, similar to the above-market two-year contract the Magic gave Joe Ingles last season.”
Besides Thompson, other microwave scorers like Malik Monk and Paul George are of interest to Orlando, but Golden State's veteran wing may be the only unsigned player as of June 30.
Monk is reportedly re-signing with the Sacramento Kings, and George is still unsure what he wants to do on the court along with his role as a podcast host.
As for Thompson, his age, injury history and the fact that he averaged 17.9 points on 43.2 percent shooting from the field last season likely give the Magic the advantage in contract negotiations.
Thompson's hopes and dreams are unlikely to come true during the upcoming free agency period.
“Let's say the Magic prove willing to work out a deal similar to the two-year, $45 million deal the Pacers signed with former Nuggets swingman Bruce Brown last summer, with a team option for the second year,” Fisher said. “That figure would be less than what Thompson turned down from Golden State before the 2023-24 season, sources say, and not far from the four-year, $78 million deal Sacramento plans to give Monk.”
“Thompson is expected to want at least three seasons under contract, according to league sources, so at this point, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope appears to be the veteran player who would benefit from the Magic's cap space.”
Three years seems like too long a deal for the Magic to agree to, and if true, it leaves Thompson out in the cold.
It was reported earlier Friday that the Warriors recently offered the 12-year veteran a two-year contract but nothing progressed. Golden State offered Thompson a two-year contract extension before the start of the 2023-24 season but that also did not move forward.
It's unclear where Thompson will sign, how much and for how long. If anything, the two-way shooter's situation may be better resolved by staying in a Warriors uniform for at least one more season.
Either way, according to Fisher, the Magic won't be able to meet Thompson's contractual standards.
And the clock is ticking on careers and championship opportunities.
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