The first domino to fall once 2024 NBA free agency officially opened was that the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson will be going their separate ways.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the two sides will be working towards a sign-and-trade.
Minutes later, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski named the Sixers as one of four teams that are planning on having discussions with Thompson to facilitate that trade.
Klay Thompson plans to have discussions with the Mavericks, Lakers, Clippers and 76ers in the opening hours of free agency, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2024
Given who’s reporting this, it’s certainly notable that the Sixers were one of the team’s mentioned to be interested in Thompson’s services. At the same time, with Paul George’s decision reportedly set to dictate the market, and the Sixers still being strong suitors, it’s hard to see Philadelphia making this trade before George has made a decision.
But the Sixers’ having nearly $60 million available in cap space will likely have them named in just about every high stakes negotiation until they begin to spend some of that money.
If the plan is to sign George and also work out a sign-and-trade for Thompson, it could take some serious cap gymnastics from Daryl Morey. Still, adding a shooter like Thompson — along with a shooter like George — to complement Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is intriguing.