2024 NBA Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Klay Thompson, Tobias Harris, More

2024 NBA Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Klay Thompson, Tobias Harris, More0 of 3

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Has Klay Thompson played his last game for the Golden State Warriors?

It is a question that will hang over NBA free agency like a dark, pregnant cloud this offseason as the league waits to see if the future Hall of Famer returns to the team he made his name with and established a modern dynasty, or if he heads elsewhere.

And exactly where that may be.

Ahead of the start of the playoffs, and the free agency period that will come at their conclusion, these are a few insider reports one where fans may find Thompson, Tobias Harris, and Nic Claxton in the near future.

Dallas Mavericks Interested in Klay Thompson?1 of 3

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Klay Thompson may have played his final game for the Golden State Warriors, for whom he won four NBA titles and established himself as a future Hall of Famer.

The prolific three-point shooter was 0-6 from beyond the arc, indicating how bad a night Thompson had. Add 0-10 from the pain, just four rebounds, and a lone assist, and you have a player whose potential final appearance for the franchise he helped raise to prominence was as bad as it gets.

Head coach Steve Kerr believes the team needs Thompson back, stating as much emphatically after the play-in loss to Sacramento.

NBA TV @NBATV”We need Klay back… He’s still got good years left… What Klay has meant to this franchise… we desperately want him back.”

Warriors HC Steve Kerr on the future of Klay Thompson pic.twitter.com/EIT1Ci0JM5

Kerr and Green’s desires may be moot as two teams have already been linked to Thompson in free agency.

Most frequently has been the Orlando Magic, a young team with a bright future but needing perimeter shooters. Thompson would fit that need, assuming he can rebound from a lackluster conclusion to his season.

Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote that the Dallas Mavericks are a team to watch in the Thompson sweepstakes as the organization chases its first NBA title since 2011. With the team already facing cap issues and the potential trade of Penny Hardaway Jr., one has to wonder if the Mavs would realistically look at Thompson and a contract that will likely be for more than what they are already paying Hardaway ($16.2 million).

With ESPN’s Zack Lowe believing any potential suitor could draw inspiration from Jrue Holliday’s deal (four years, $135 million), any team looking to land Thompson will have to shell out significantly more than Hardaways’ relatively modest deal.

Assuming the Magic can free up some space and are serious about adding Thompson’s shooting ability to a roster that is one player away from making a legitimate splash in the Eastern Conference, they feel like a team better suited for the longtime Warrior.

That is unless Golden State can make it work and retain the core trio of him, Green, and Steph Curry.

Prediction: Thompson ends up going elsewhere, signs with Magic

Tobias Harris Headed Back to Detroit?2 of 3

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Tobias Harris is unlikely to return to the Philadelphia 76ers when he officially hits free agency and a return to the Detroit Pistons remains the favorite destination for the 13th-year man.

Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, “Several NBA executives believe there’s a chance he’ll land with the Detroit Pistons in free agency.”

The target of blame by fans for the team backing into the playoffs and missing out on a seed in the top three of the conference, Harris did not do much to help his cause. He was effective at grabbing boards against Miami with 10 and dished well enough en route to four assists, but he tallied just nine points while shooting 40 percent from the paint and missing on all three of his three-point shots.

The images of him sitting on the bench late in the game after head coach Nick Nurse decided the team would be better off without him, only fanned the flames surrounding his stint in Philly, especially considering his $180 million deal, and essentially sealed his fate as a free agent not likely to return to the team he has called home for the last six seasons.

Harris thrives when he has the ball and is dictating pace and play. He has not had that in Philly, preventing him from building momentum and getting into a rhythm. When that happens, nights like his underwhelming showing against the Heat occur.

The Sixers cannot afford that in their playoff match-up with the Knicks, who will send them home quickly if Philly plays like they did against Miami.

A return to Detroit, a bad team with no identity but some quality young players, could help Harris assume the role of leader, where he will have the ball and be able to dictate the offense as a veteran in the league, may benefit him best and help remind his critics that he can still play in the NBA.

Just not with the Sixers as they are currently constructed.

Prediction: Harris returns to the Pistons

Latest on Nic Claxton3 of 3

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Nic Claxton spent most of the season telling his teammates and reporters that he hoped to return to Brooklyn. While there is a “greater than 50-percent chance” that scenario plays out, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the New Orleans Pelicans are a team to watch out for when it comes to a potential sign-and-trade deal.

“I know there are members of the Pelicans organization who like Claxton, and the future of Jonas Valanciunas is uncertain, given how close the team will be to the luxury tax next season and his lack of usage at the end of the games, including the Play-In loss to the Lakers,” he wrote.

Claxton averaged 29.8 minutes, 11,9 points, and 62.9 field goal percentage in the 2023-24 season.

Scotto and Nets beat writer Brian Lewis, on the HoopsHype podcast, revealed Claxton could sign in the range of $20-25 million a year.

Valanciunas scored about a point more than Claxton this season but saw his role with the Pelicans decrease late, to the point that he was nearly a nonfactor in the Play-In game against Los Angeles. It makes sense that New Orleans would look to replace him as they again look to next season to make a legitimate push in the Western Conference.

That replacement just will not be Claxton, whose preference to play with the Nets is well known, even if there are other teams closer to becoming a legitimate contender than the Brooklyn-based squad.

Prediction: Claxton stays in Brooklyn