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Tuesday night was likely Klay Thompson's last game as a Golden State Warrior. Next stop? Orlando, assuming the oddsmakers are correct.
BetOnline listed the Magic as a 3-1 favorite, half that of the two teams with the next shortest odds, Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
"Considering it's April 17th, I don't think I have to pivot that quickly," Thompson said following what was pretty much could have been his exit interview. "When is free agency? July 1st? Yeah, I got some time. I got some time."
Other team members had nothing but wonderful things to say about Thompson however.
Following their loss to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament, Stephen Curry, who is favored to play at the Spurs if he's not in San Francisco next year, said he couldn't imagine not playing alongside Thompson, while Green said there isn't "any scenario where Klay leaves and that's the best decision for this team and organization."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr wants him back too.
"It means a lot," Thompson said about his teammate's and coach's sentiments. "I mean, we've been through the highest of highs and lows. Whether it's losing a championship, winning a championship, missing the playoffs, we've been through everything together, so that does mean a lot. It makes me grateful to have the times I've had with them. Like, that was pretty historic stuff."
"(I) want to keep winning," Thompson said. "I mean, when you've been a part of winning seasons, you don't really want to go away from that. So I would like to win again. One for the thumb would be nice. I still think it's in reach ... other than that, just got to think about that, what will really make you happy in the last few years of your career."
A source told ESPN that Thompson values winning more than monetary compensation, so who knows? He could ultimately end up staying at Golden State.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes Thompson would have to “take an 8-figure cut” from the five-year, $190 million contract he signed in July 2019.
“I think they bring Klay Thompson back,” Windhorst added. “I think they like the way this team played at the end of the season.”
According to The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, the Magic is expected to offer Thompson “a ton of money” when he becomes a free agent in July 2024, and they can afford to do so.
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Klay Thompson Next Team |
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Orlando Magic |
3/1 |
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Oklahoma City Thunder |
6/1 |
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San Antonio Spurs |
6/1 |
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Philadelphia 76ers |
7/1 |
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Detroit Pistons |
8/1 |
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Utah Jazz |
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10/1 |
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Atlanta Hawks |
18/1 |
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Chicago Bulls |
18/1 |
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Los Angeles Lakers |
20/1 |
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Boston Celtics |
25/1 |
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Brooklyn Nets |
25/1 |
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Cleveland Cavaliers |
25/1 |
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Dallas Mavericks |
25/1 |
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Indiana Pacers |
25/1 |
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Memphis Grizzlies |
25/1 |
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Miami Heat |
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25/1 |
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Milwaukee Bucks |
25/1 |
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Charlotte Hornets |
33/1 |
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Houston Rockets |
33/1 |
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New York Knicks |
33/1 |
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Washington Wizards |
33/1 |
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New Orleans Pelicans |
40/1 |
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Phoenix Suns |
40/1 |
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Denver Nuggets |
50/1 |
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Los Angeles Clippers |
50/1 |
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Minnesota Timberwolves |
50/1 |
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Portland Trail Blazers |
50/1 |
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Sacramento Kings |
50/1 |
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Toronto Raptors |
50/1 |
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- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
