The hope of a reunion between Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors appear slim in the short-term, but they remain alive thanks to a looming roster decision for the Dallas Mavericks which could lead to a buyout for the five-time All-Star.
Multiple teams, headlined by the Miami Heat, are praying for a Thompson buyout, and the Mavericks roster crunch may eventually force them to change their current stance of only considering trades involving the veteran sharpshooter.
Warriors' hopes of Klay Thompson reunion remain alive
Dallas have 16 players currently contracted to their main roster, meaning they'll eventually have to make a decision before the season gets underway in October. They don't really have any non-guaranteed contracts or young players that they look like they're going to part ways with.
Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio De Larrea and Tarik Biberovic have all been given standard deals after they were drafted in June. Marcus Sasser was only acquired this summer from the Detroit Pistons, and the Mavericks were forced to match a two-year offer from the New York Knicks for restricted free agent Moussa Cisse.
As much as the Mavericks are insistent on a Thompson trade, they may be left with no other choice but to execute a buyout if a deal isn't forthcoming. NBA insider Marc Stein seemed to leave the door open in his reporting on Sunday night, with Thompson's time in Dallas seemingly coming to an end.
"Two sources briefed on the process said this week that it remains unclear how the (Thompson) situation will play out. Dallas currently has 16 standard contracts on its books — one more than the league maximum that will be allowed as of Oct. 19 — but Thompson's fate remained undecided as of Sunday," Stein reported.
Warriors would still have to beat Heat and others for Thompson reunion
Even if Thompson does get a buyout with the Mavericks and become a free agent, that's no guarantee that a Warriors reunion would be in the works. The Heat have been clearly the strongest suitor for the 36-year-old, and can offer him a defined role given their need for shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also been viewed as a potential suitor given Thompson's ties to the area, his father's history with the team, and the fact he previously left Golden State to play with Luka Doncic in Dallas.
All this hinges on a buyout taking place, at least from a Warrior perspective given there's little to no chance that Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the front office make a trade for Thompson and his $17.5 million expiring contract.
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