Warriors Star Klay Thompson Plans Talk With West Rivals: Report

Klay Thompson considering Lakers and Mavericks in free agency. Warriors tension. Lakers need James to take discount for full MLE access.

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors recently made headlines as he considers his options in free agency. According to reports, Thompson is interested in potentially joining the Los Angeles Lakers to play alongside LeBron James. The Dallas Mavericks are also on his radar, with the team having available funds to make a competitive offer.

The tension between Thompson and the Warriors has been simmering for some time, dating back to last year's negotiation period. Thompson reportedly felt undervalued by the Warriors after they offered him significantly less than what his teammate Draymond Green received. Despite this, Thompson's performance on the court has also been a factor in the team's decision-making process.

Thompson had a challenging season, experiencing his worst shooting statistics since his second year in the league. As a result, Warriors coach Steve Kerr made the decision to move Thompson to a bench role for the first time in his career. This move, coupled with the unresolved contract negotiations, has led to speculation that Thompson may be looking for a new team for the upcoming season.

While the Mavericks and Lakers are currently at the forefront of Thompson's potential destinations, other teams are also reportedly interested in acquiring his services. The Orlando Magic have been mentioned as a potential landing spot, although they may only be willing to offer a shorter contract. Additionally, there is a prevailing belief that Thompson may prefer to remain in the Western Conference if he decides to leave the Warriors after 13 seasons and four championships.

As the free agency period approaches, Thompson's future remains uncertain. With multiple teams vying for his talents, it will be interesting to see where the sharpshooter ultimately decides to continue his basketball career. The drama surrounding his potential move adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming NBA season.