Warriors Named Top Landing Spot for $146 Million Klay Thompson Replacement
The Golden State Warriors remain one of the top candidates to trade for a star this summer, and the potential options are becoming clearer. Despite an aging roster, the Warriors still have Stephen Curry performing at an elite level, which means the right players around him could propel the team back to the top of the Western Conference. Adam Wells of Bleacher Report suggested on Wednesday, June 26, that the Bay Area is one of the few ideal landing spots for Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat following the NBA draft.
“The Warriors could need help on the wing if they lose Klay Thompson in free agency. There are rumblings they could make a push for Paul George if he opts in to his $48.8 million salary for next season to facilitate a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers,” Wells wrote. “If that pursuit doesn’t pan out, Butler would be a nice fallback option for a Golden State team that needs to take a big swing to compete for a title while Stephen Curry is still in his prime.”
New Developments Make Heat More Likely to Trade Jimmy Butler This Offseason
Butler will not seek an extension from the Miami Heat this summer, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. This comes despite reports that he had been pursuing a two-year, $113 million agreement to secure his financial future into his late 30s. As a result, the two-time NBA Finals participant (2020, 2023) can, and likely will, opt out of the final year of his $146.4 million agreement next summer and explore free agency for the best financial offer.
Heat team president Pat Riley has stated that the Heat have no interest in trading Butler, who will soon be 35, either this summer or ahead of the next season’s trade deadline. However, Riley has also acknowledged concerns about Butler’s injury history, noting that Butler has played in more than 60 regular-season games for the Heat just once in five years.
Despite Riley and Butler’s public stance, the Heat are known for their strategic moves. They have consistently avoided letting valuable assets leave in free agency without receiving anything in return. If they allow Butler to play out the season without a trade or an extension, they risk losing him for nothing.
Warriors Face Dilemma with Klay Thompson’s Future.
Thompson is approaching unrestricted free agency. While some, like Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports, believe he may secure a three-year extension worth $100 million from Golden State, others are skeptical. The Warriors offered Thompson a two-year, $48 million deal before last season, which he declined. Although he played solidly in 2023-24, averaging 17.9 points per game and shooting 38.7% from the field, these numbers may not justify a $33 million per year salary.
Thompson could still attract interest from teams like the 76ers and the Orlando Magic, who value his scoring and shooting abilities. The Warriors might bring Thompson back out of loyalty or if he accepts a discount. However, paying him a substantial amount could hinder their chances of winning the Western Conference again.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have a $30 million expiring contract for Chris Paul, which could serve as the basis for a trade for someone like Butler. With at least four quality young players, the Warriors wouldn’t need to include all of them in a package to acquire Butler from the Heat.
Golden State appears poised for one last push for a fifth title while Curry remains a top 10 NBA player. A trade for someone like Butler this summer could be the Warriors’ final opportunity to make that happen.
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