Warriors' Klay Thompson: Expected to leave Warriors
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Thompson is expected to leave the Warriors in free agency, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
The writing has been on the wall for some time, and the Warriors are prepared for this scenario, according to Charania. There's been no dialogue between the two sides in regard to a contract, and it appears both are ready to move on. Despite his age and recent injury history, Thompson is expected to have a strong market, with the Mavericks, Lakers and Clippers all reported to be interested in his services.
Warriors' Andrew Wiggins: Won't play for Canada at Olympics
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Wiggins won't play for Canada during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports.
Per Smith, the Warriors are actively trying to trade Wiggins to clear up cap room, presumably to acquire Paul George, and they don't want Wiggins to get hurt playing in the Olympics. John Hollinger of The Athletic relays there could also be an already existing injury for Wiggins, but nothing has been reported. Wiggins missed 11 games during the 2023-24 season, including back-to-back absences at the beginning of April due to a sprained ankle.
Warriors' Chris Paul: Contract guarantee date pushed back
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Paul and the Warriors intend to move back the guarantee deadline on the point guard's contract to Sunday, the start of free agency, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Friday.
If the Warriors guaranteed Paul's contract for 2024-25, the veteran would earn $30 million next season. Golden State can't afford that price and doesn't want to lose Paul in free agency for nothing, while the point guard likely agreed to this so he'd get a say in where he's potentially traded. Wojnarowski relays that the Warriors are still exploring trades, but what type of market Paul has at this point in his career remains unclear. He averaged a career-low 9.2 points per game in 2023-24.
The Warriors signed Beekman to a two-way contract Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
As a two-way player, Beekman will split time between the Warriors and their G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. As a senior for Virginia in 2023-24, Beekman averaged 14.3 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32.8 minutes across 34 games.
The Thunder traded Waters to the Warriors on Thursday in exchange for the No. 52 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports.
Waters saw his averages decrease over his first three years in the league, and he wasn't a consistent part of the Thunder's rotation last year, averaging 3.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game over 38 regular-season appearances. He had a more prominent role when he suited up for the G League's Oklahoma City Blue, averaging 21.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game over 10 regular-season outings. Waters has a $2.2 million team option for next season, and the Warriors plan to exercise it to use him as a depth option.
