After a marriage that brought them four NBA titles, Klay Thompson and the Warriors are no more.
Golden State parted ways with the shooter on Monday after long-rumors of a divorce, after Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
The terms of the sign-and-trade have yet to be finalized, but the Warriors are expected to receive two second-round picks. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Now, Golden State appears to be looking to replace their star player.
according to Jake Fisher of Yahoo SportsThe Warriors have contacted the Utah Jazz about former All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen, and Utah is in “concrete discussions” about a Markkanen trade.
Fischer added that he doesn’t expect Markkanen to be traded at this point.
Other reports said Golden State had attempted to acquire nine-time All-Star Paul George in a trade, but George opted out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and agreed to a four-year, $212 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Another notable player remaining on the market is six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, but the 34-year-old California native has been rumored to be linked with a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
Other potential free agent forwards include Saddiq Bey, Miles Bridges, Caleb Martin and Gordon Hayward.
One of the more surprising trade candidates is Pelicans All-Star Brandon Ingram, who has one year left on his $158 million contract. The Duke graduate is He has ties to the Sacramento Kings.
The Warriors will play a season without Thompson for the first time since 2010-11, breaking up the team’s customary back-to-back lineups of superstars Stephen Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green.
Golden State is expected to return key starter Andrew Wiggins, second-year guard Brandin Podziemski and forward Jonathan Kuminga, but the depth of the roster currently appears inadequate.
Thompson appeared to have declined from his full potential last season, spending much of the team’s second half on the bench, but he has still been one of the league’s most impressive players over the past five-plus years and a franchise legend.
“Klay Thompson’s incredible and legendary contributions to the Warriors cannot be overstated,” the team said in a statement. statement. “Klay’s legacy will live forever, and we look forward to the day we can retire his No. 11 jersey at Chase Center, where he will join the ranks of Warriors immortals, including those who helped shape our recent dynasty, including himself.”
Either way, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. appears to be actively pursuing a key player to replace Thompson in order to help the team return to the playoffs.
