NBA Rumors: Warriors Star Could Pick Clippers, Spring Free Agency Surprise

Klay Thompson is among the top free agents entering the market this summer – a class that also includes Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler among others. The Golden State Warriors shooting guard has on more than one occasion stated his desire to remain with the Bay Area team but there is a possibility that could change in the coming days.

The Warriors guard is eligible for a max contract this summer – a five-year deal worth $190 million – and is expecting his employers to make the offer when he enters free agency on June 30. But there is some talk that the Warriors could offer a lower contract in order to accommodate a max deal for Kevin Durant and it is unclear if Thompson will be willing to take a discount.

It is very unlikely the Warriors refuse to make him a max offer but in the event that they do, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski believes the guard could offer his services to another team. Thompson will not be short of suitors and the NBA insider believes he is very open to sit down with the Los Angeles Clippers and discuss a deal.

The Clippers will certainly offer the three-time NBA champion a max offer and Wojnarowski believes they could also sell him a potential pairing with Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles next season. However, Thompson is unlikely to play at least until next year after suffering an ACL injury during the 2019 NBA Finals, which could affect the level of interest from multiple teams.

“The one team that I think — my information is — he would be very open to going down to sit down with are the Clippers. And if they have a chance to sell Kawhi Leonard with Klay Thompson, certainly that’s an appealing sell for any free agent,” Wojnarowski said on ESPN’s “Woj & Lowe” free agency special Tuesday.

Despite pointing toward Clippers as a potential destination for Thompson, Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe had little doubt that Warriors will offer the shooting guard a max contract offer. Moreover, Warriors owner Joe Lacob has also previously stated that re-signing Thompson and fellow free agent Durant is the team’s main priority this summer.