Golden State’s season came to an end in Tuesday night’s decisive loss at Sacramento, and it could have ushered in the end of the “Splash Brothers” era.
Klay Thompson went 0-for-10 from the field and missed all six of his 3-point attempts in the loss to the Kings, and will be an unrestricted free agent in July. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game that “we need Klay back,” but it is anything but certain the 34-year-old will return to Golden State for the 2024-25 season.
Despite the ignominious end to this campaign, Thompson is a four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star who will certain draw strong interest if he hits the open market. One sportsbook released odds Wednesday morning for all 29 potential NBA destinations, with a cross-country relocation leading the way.
KLAY THOMPSON NEXT TEAM ODDS*
Orlando Magic (3/1)
Oklahoma City Thunder (6/1)
San Antonio Spurs (6/1)
Philadelphia 76ers (7/1)
Detroit Pistons (8/1)
Utah Jazz (10/1)
Atlanta Hawks (18/1)
Chicago Bulls (18/1)
Los Angeles Lakers (20/1)
Boston Celtics (25/1)
Brooklyn Nets (25/1)
Cleveland Cavaliers (25/1)
Dallas Mavericks (25/1)
Indiana Pacers (25/1)
Memphis Grizzlies (25/1)
Miami Heat (25/1)
Milwaukee Bucks (25/1)
Charlotte Hornets (33/1)
Houston Rockets (33/1)
New York Knicks (33/1)
Washington Wizards (33/1)
New Orleans Pelicans (40/1)
Phoenix Suns (40/1)
Denver Nuggets (50/1)
Los Angeles Clippers (50/1)
Minnesota Timberwolves (50/1)
Portland Trail Blazers (50/1)
Sacramento Kings (50/1)
Toronto Raptors (50/1)
*SportsBetting.ag. Odds provided for informational purposes only.
When the final buzzer sounded Tuesday night and his teammates entered the tunnel to the locker room, Thompson lingered, turned around to take in the scene and exited in recognition of the potential gravity and finality of the moment.
“We need Klay back,” Kerr said. “He’s still got good years left. And I know I speak for everybody in the organization: We want him back.
“What Klay has meant to this franchise and as good as he still is, we desperately want him back.”
Notably one half of the “Splash Brothers” alongside Stephen Curry, Thompson could agree to a short-term deal to align with Draymond Green, Curry and Kerr, who are signed through 2026.
Thompson’s future is one of multiple major decisions facing the Warriors’ front office this offseason. The team also faces a June 28 deadline for an erasure maneuver with point guard Chris Paul’s contract, which could directly impact what the team can do with Thompson.
Paul, who will turn 39 next month, has a $30 million non-guaranteed contract with the Warriors for 2024-25. That could be a boon for a trade to bring back youth, or general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. could decide to simply wipe the hefty deal off the books entirely.
“This isn’t (the end). I know it for sure,” Paul told The Athletic this week.
The book is also offering odds on Paul’s next NBA address.
CHRIS PAUL NEXT TEAM ODDS
Los Angeles Clippers (3/1)
Los Angeles Lakers (4/1)
Philadelphia 76ers (8/1)
Milwaukee Bucks (9/1)
Boston Celtics (12/1)
Miami Heat (12/1)
Dallas Mavericks (14/1)
Atlanta Hawks (16/1)
Washington Wizards (18/1)
Orlando Magic (20/1)
San Antonio Spurs (20/1)
Oklahoma City Thunder (22/1)
Brooklyn Nets (25/1)
Chicago Bulls (25/1)
Detroit Pistons (25/1)
Minnesota Timberwolves (25/1)
New Orleans Pelicans (25/1)
Portland Trail Blazers (25/1)
Phoenix Suns (33/1)
Charlotte Hornets (40/1)
New York Knicks (40/1)
Sacramento Kings (40/1)
Utah Jazz (40/1)
Cleveland Cavaliers (50/1)
Denver Nuggets (50/1)
Houston Rockets (50/1)
Indiana Pacers (50/1)
Memphis Grizzlies (50/1)
Toronto Raptors (50/1)
Green, whose contract includes a player option for 2026-27, added he wants the Warriors to keep the band together and expects the front office to maintain the established course. He said he didn’t envision “any scenario where Klay leaves.”
“They did right by me. They’ve done right by Steph. They’ve done right by all of us,” Green said. “Klay tore his ACL and they gave him $160 million dollars.”
