Two players will be the main focus of this start of free agency: Paul George, whose decision on whether or not to activate his player option is still awaited; Klay Thompsonwho could leave the Warriors. Both are on the tablets of the same teams, whether it is the Nuggets, the Magic, the Sixers or even the Warriors.
But Mark Stein reports that the “Splash Brother” could be joining the Mavericks! Insider located in Dallas, Stein had announced the trade of Tim Hardaway to the Pistons several days in advance, and he speaks of a ” strong mutual interest ” between the player and the 2023 finalists. He specifies that Thompson, if he were to leave Golden State, would prefer to stay in the West. Which eliminates the tracks that lead to Orlando and Philadelphia.
A “sign-and-trade” between the Warriors and the Mavericks?
The problem is that Dallas only has its ” mid-level exception ” to offer, which is about $13 million per year. While Thompson is looking for a three-year, $120 million contract at least… Which means that if both sides want to come to an agreement, the Mavericks will be forced to make a trade with the Warriors in a sign-and-trade. And we can be sure that if Thompson really wants to leave, the Warriors will not sell him off, and Dallas will have to part with at least two major players.
Unless Thompson agrees to strengthen the Mavericks for a lower salary for one season, to be a free agent again in a year…
Mid-level exception : envelope of approximately $13 million that is available each year to recruit all NBA franchises that do not pay luxury tax. They can use it on one or more players. A team that must pay the luxury tax only has $5.2 million. Since 2023/24, if a team significantly exceeds the high bar of the salary cap (by more than $17.5 million), it loses its “mid-level exception”.
