It is nearly hard to picture Klay Thompson wearing a uniform other than the Warriors’.

There are several reasons why it might occur this summer, chief among them being financial. But who else will pursue and compensate Thompson if not the Warriors? Marc Stein writes on the Orlando Magic in his post-All-Star Newsletter.

Orlando is being mentioned more and more as a possible free agent suitor for Klay Thompson. It is challenging to forecast the Magic’s available cap space this far ahead of time. That amount might increase to $45 million, depending on their plans for future additions like as Jonathan Isaac (whose $17.4 million salary for the upcoming season is not guaranteed) and incoming free agents Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris.


What kind of deal and length of time do the Warriors want to offer Thompson? Although he is no longer an All-Star, he is still a capable player who can make three points, and many in the league believe that his new role as a sixth man is a good match for him. Orlando might be considering it, but what kind of role would they give an elderly Thompson, and how much will they want to pay him? Is it the intention of the youthful and developing Magic squad to use their free agent cash to sign a player who is not on the same trajectory as Franz Wagner or Paolo Banchero?

The Warriors’ luxury tax issue adds complexity to the scenario. “Our Plan 1, or 1A, is that we’d like to be out of the tax, and we think that we have a way to do that,” stated team Governor Joe Lacob last week. According to Lacob, that included bringing back players, possibly including Chris Paul and Thompson (who are both getting $42 million this season), but at much reduced compensation levels.
The Warriors have eight contracts worth roughly $137 million guaranteed for the upcoming year (including Gary Payton II’s $9.1 million option), while the luxury tax threshold is anticipated to be $172 million. The Warriors would have roughly $10 million left over for the next five roster places (which would require minimum contracts) if they offered Thompson $25 million a season, which is what they recently handed Draymond Green last summer. The Warriors will have more money to spend on players like Chris Paul and others if Thompson takes a lower salary.


Although Thompson and the Warriors have not yet agreed on a contract extension, it is likely that they will. It’s quite hard to imagine Thompson wearing an Orlando uniform.