NBA Rumors: Eastern Conference Team Emerges As Klay Thompson Suitor

The rumors were shocking to hear earlier in the month, when it was suggested that the Golden State Warriors could possibly do the unthinkable and trade Steph Curry's Splash Brother Klay Thompson.

The 34-year-old is having a disappointing season for his standards, and will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end after his five-year, $189 million contract expires. Before the current campaign began, the two sides were nowhere close on an extension, and it does appear that he could very well enter free agency this summer.

If that happens, a very surprising team could be in the mix to attempt to land Thompson, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Something to file away: Orlando has been increasingly mentioned as a potential suitor for Thompson in free agency.

The Magic certainly seem poised to have the cap space to make such a move, as Stein notes that they could have as much as $45 million available. A lot of that, however, has to do with what happens with their own pending free agents Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris. They can also rid themselves of $17.4M if they choose not to pick up the non-guaranteed contract of Jonathan Isaac next season.

Thompson just recently came off the bench for the Warriors for the first time in 12 years. He's a five-time All-Star has been selected as an All-NBA player twice, and All-Defensive team member once, while being a key cog in four NBA championships, along with Curry and Draymond Green.

This season, he's averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting a subpar (for him) 37.3% from three-point range.

Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports