Report: Klay draws free agent interest from 76ers, two West rivals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Another day, another Klay Thompson rumor. But with NBA free agency just 48 hours away, things are about to get more intense than ever.
With each passing day, it seems more likely that Thompson’s time in the Bay is almost over. If that is the case, there are rumors that multiple teams are interested in the veteran sharpshooter.
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of those teams, The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Anthony Slater reported Friday morning, citing a source. The Denver Nuggets are also believed to be involved in the loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who has declined his player option and will hit the open market on Sunday.
Denver has “identified Thompson as a possible replacement” for Caldwell-Pope if he signs elsewhere, Amick and Slater reported, citing a source.
A “handful of other rival teams” have also shown interest in Thompson, depending on his price tag, Amick and Slater added.
While Amick and Slater did not directly name these rival teams, league sources told NBA insider Marc Stein that the Dallas Mavericks, with some newfound financial flexibility after reportedly dealing Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons on Friday, are interested in “exploring the feasibility” of signing Thompson in free agency.
Thompson, who is seeking a minimum three-year deal, could help Denver with his two-way game, especially as a replacement for Caldwell-Pope. He could also lend his shooting to Dallas, one of the team’s biggest priorities this offseason.
Golden State wants to bring Thompson back. Thompson said (several months ago) that he would like to retire from the team that drafted him in 2011. A lot has changed since then.
But the clock is ticking on a decision to be made. And if Thompson and the Warriors part ways, the five-time NBA All-Star appears to have plenty of options elsewhere.
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