Klay Thompson trade chatter misses the mark for the Spurs' perimeter needs

This offseason, the Spurs could be active on the trade and free-agency markets to find players who can help them on the margins. Klay Thompson is garnering interest from San Antonio, according to Heavy's Sean Deveney. This should be a no-go, as he can't give them the all-around production they need on the perimeter.

Now, Thompson can still provide some value at this stage in his career. The 36-year-old played in 69 games last season for the Dallas Mavericks and drained 39% of his looks from distance. He's still a lethal long-range threat who could capitalize on penetrate-and-kick opportunities in the Spurs' offense.

But there's not as much upside in moving assets for a guard who's well past his prime and hasn't produced on the postseason stage since 2023. The Spurs need more from their perimeter options, and they could find better by looking elsewhere.

Klay may be a bit limited in his all-around impact

What worries me most about a Klay Thompson addition to the Spurs is the lack of all-around impact he creates. Of course, his three-point stroke is still intact, but outside of being a catch-and-shoot option, there isn't much else he provides at an elite level.

Let's think about defense. In the postseason, the Spurs want to ensure they have a surplus of strong perimeter stoppers who can bother the likes of Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and others. Klay had some solid moments on that end of the floor last season, but how reliable can he be in the playoffs against scorers of that caliber? Does he still have the step to keep up with them?

Additionally, Thompson isn't giving you much on offense but floor spacing. His 39% from distance is amongst the best in the league, but he struggles to score in other areas. Last season, he didn't finish well near the rim or in the paint, explaining his concerning 39% overall field goal percentage.

Of course, the Spurs wouldn't ask him to be a lead shot creator in their offense, so his interior struggles won't be too much of a concern. But still, they'd be much better off dedicating their assets to someone who gives them more versatility.

Why it could be tempting for the Spurs to add Thompson

Now, there are some benefits to a Klay Thompson deal. For one, his shooting ability makes him a good fit next to their guards. Dylan Harper, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle excel at using their gravity to open up shooting opportunities for others.

Additionally, Thompson is on an expiring deal. He'll be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027, so his contract could give the Spurs tons of financial flexibility down the road.

So the basketball fit and contract situation make some sense and could be tempting for San Antonio. But would they really want to move away younger pieces to bring back a player who is past his prime and would likely be a short-term rental?

A deal for Klay sounds attractive in some areas, but the Spurs are better off finding other deals that make more sense for their future. They have the assets to create situations that better suit them in their quest to become the league's next dynasty.

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