NBA Rumors: Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Khris Middleton Among Free Agents Most Likely Staying Put

With free agency set to officially start in a couple of days, there is so much talk about All-Stars potentially joining new teams. Kevin Durant is reportedly eyeing the two New York teams, and Kawhi Leonard might leave the Toronto Raptors for Los Angeles just a few weeks after leading Canada’s only team to a championship. Kyrie Irving is leaving the Boston Celtics, and Kemba Walker is now expected to become his de facto replacement after spending his whole career with the Charlotte Hornets.

A few of the top players available, however, appear likely to stay put. Despite discussions regarding where Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler and Khris Middleton could end up this summer, the odds are that all three players will return to the teams they played for in the 2018-2019 NBA season.

Thompson leaving the Golden State Warriors would be the biggest shock of the offseason. Golden State will reportedly offer the shooting guard a five-year contract worth close to $190 million Sunday night, and he’s expected to take it.

There are reports that Thompson will consider joining the Los Angeles Clippers or Los Angeles Lakers if he’s not presented with a max offer right away. Thompson has maintained all season that he wants to stay with the Warriors, and Golden State won’t let him get away.

It’s not as certain that Butler will stay with the Philadelphia 76ers, but they have the best chance to sign the four-time All-Star. Philadelphia can offer Butler the same deal Thompson is expected to get from the Warriors, while the rest of the league can only pay him close to $141 million over four years.

Butler would likely take a max contract offer from Philadelphia. Maybe the 76ers are wary of committing nearly $200 million to him for a half-decade. But how can Philadelphia risk losing him after what happened in the playoffs?

Between Joel Embiid’s inconsistency and Ben Simmons’ inability to shoot, Butler was the 76ers’ best player in the postseason. Philadelphia took the eventual champion Raptors to the brink of elimination in Game 7 of the conference semifinals. Bringing back Butler would make the 76ers legitimate title contenders next season.

The Lakers reportedly have interest in signing Butler. The Clippers would probably love to add Butler if they can also get a commitment from Leonard. The Houston Rockets are desperately trying to land Butler, though Philadelphia has little motivation to facilitate the sign-and-trade needed to make that happen.

Tobias Harris is more likely to leave Philadelphia than Butler in free agency. It’s hard to believe the 76ers would let both players walk after trading so many assets to acquire them during this past season.

Butler didn’t make the All-Star team last year, unlike Khris Middleton. Middleton has gotten less buzz than any All-Star this offseason in part because he’s not expected to leave the Milwaukee Bucks.

After Middleton declined his $13 million player option, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the 27-year-old would command a five-year max contract from the Bucks.

Milwaukee is looking to keep its core together after leading the NBA with 60 wins.