"WE DON'T ALWAYS GET WHAT WE WANT ROMANTICALLY" - NBA ANALYST THINKS KLAY THOMPSON PULLING OFF A DWYANE WADE-ESQUE FREE-AGENCY MOVE
When Klay Thompson unfollowed the Golden State Warriors and removed his championship-winning pictures with Splash Brother - Stephen Curry from his social media, it sparked media speculation about tension between Thompson and the franchise, particularly concerning his upcoming free agency.
Like many fans who have watched the Dubs' Big 3 develop together and win titles, Zach Lowe expressed a sentimental desire to see them together until retirement. However, speaking on ESPN's NBA Today, the 46-year-old analyst acknowledged the prospect of Klay joining another team, given the latter's non-ball dominant approach and offensive prowess could seamlessly fit into various teams' dynamics.
"I'm a romantic. I wanna see these three guys, Steph, Klay, and Draymond, play together forever, running circles around the court. But out of those three players, we know Steph's not going anywhere; Draymond is a pretty unique piece; he doesn't fit everywhere," Lowe said. "Klay Thompson fits anywhere. There would also be something cool about seeing him say, 'You know what? I wanna prove I can make big shots at another place. Look, we don't always get what we want romantically."
Lowe wants Klay to follow in D-Wade's footsteps
Much like Thompson, fans found it challenging to envision Dwayne Wade wearing anything but a Heat jersey. However, after 13 seasons, the 13-time All-Star embarked on a new challenge in pursuit of his fourth championship ring—joining the Chicago Bulls, where he averaged 18.3 points per game, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he recorded 11.2 points per game. These brief stints allowed the former Finals MVP to showcase his everlasting value as a player.
Lowe drew parallels between Wade's journeys and Klay's potential future, suggesting that the five-time All-Star might similarly share his wealth of experience with younger teams.
"We saw Dwyane Wade leave Miami for Chicago. We have seen these icons move every once in a while," Lowe added. "Out of the three, I think Klay has pathways that could be interesting and cool to watch."
Which teams could Thompson join?
Klay has been a key player for the Warriors but never a leader. However, after learning from leaders like Steph and Kevin Durant, he has ample experience in guiding a promising young team like the Orlando Magic. The Magic, who had the fewest 3-point attempts and seventh-worst 3-point efficiency in the 2023-24 season, could greatly benefit from his experience.
Another great fit for him is the Dallas Mavericks, who ranked 11th in the league for 3-point shooting, boasting a tally of 37.6%. Even though Klay had a down year, shooting 38.7% from long range, he's historically been a 41.3% shooter, attempting 7.6 shots per game from beyond the arc.
Finally, the Philadelphia 76ers could also be a good option, with $58 million in cap space to offer Thompson a lucrative contract. Klay would boost their scoring prowess, which ranked only 14th (offensive rating) in the recently concluded season.
As Lowe rightly pointed out, while Klay has plenty of interesting options, all he needs to do is be as bold as D-Wade and be willing to take up a new task in year 12. Furthermore, if he chooses his next team wisely, he'll have a chance to prove to the league that even though he got older and injuries slowed him down, he is still one of the best players in his position and somebody who puts fears in defense heart.
2024-06-24T07:37:46Z dg43tfdfdgfd