In a whirlwind of NBA trade rumors, it seems that Klay Thompson's time with the Golden State Warriors could be coming to an end. After 13 seasons and four championship rings with the Warriors, Thompson and the team remain far apart in contract negotiations, leading to speculation about his future. Interestingly enough, reports suggest that Thompson might find himself catching passes from Luka Doncic next season, as there is reportedly strong mutual interest between Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks.

On the court, Thompson's skills still shine through despite not being at his peak form. Last season, the 34-year-old averaged 17.9 points per game while shooting an impressive 38.7% from beyond the arc. These numbers make it clear why the Mavericks would be interested in his services. He could seamlessly replace Tim Hardaway Jr., who was recently traded to the Detroit Pistons, making Thompson a strong candidate for the starting lineup or possibly even a leadership role off the bench.

However, it won't be an easy path for the Mavericks to acquire Thompson. A sign-and-trade deal with the Warriors would be necessary, and Golden State is known for driving a hard bargain. Thompson reportedly seeks a contract worth well above $20 million annually, while the Mavericks can only offer their $12.9 million mid-level exception to a free agent. The team already has plans to prioritize re-signing Derrick Jones Jr., which could complicate matters further.

One potential trade scenario that has been discussed involves the Mavericks offering Josh Green and Maxi Kleber in exchange for Thompson, who would re-sign with the Warriors for $22 million per season. However, the question remains whether Dallas would be willing to part with two rotation players for a 34-year-old shooting guard. On the other side, Golden State may also prefer to receive a draft pick in addition to players.

Meanwhile, in another intriguing trade possibility, the Warriors have reportedly set their sights on Paul George. Both George and the Los Angeles Clippers are far from reaching a contract extension agreement. George desires a max contract worth four years and $221 million, whereas the Clippers are offering something closer to three years and $150 million. This discrepancy could lead George to explore other options in the free agent market.

Among the teams expressing interest in George are the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic, although talks with both teams have cooled down. The prevailing belief now is that George will opt into his $48.8 million contract and subsequently request a trade. However, the Clippers are asking for a substantial return in any deal. One potential trade discussed involved the Denver Nuggets, who reportedly balked at the Clippers' demands for Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji, and a significant amount of draft capital.

Considering the trade restrictions imposed on both the Warriors and the Clippers due to their position over the second apron of the tax, any deal between the two teams would have to be dollar-for-dollar. A potential trade that has been floated involves Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Chris Paul, with the Clippers potentially waiving Paul's salary to make the financials work. However, the complexity of the deal extends beyond just the players involved, as there are questions about the willingness of both teams to part with certain assets, as well as concerns about Clippers owner Steve Ballmer approving a division rivals trade.

In conclusion, it appears that both Klay Thompson and Paul George are on the verge of joining new teams next season. However, the intricacies of putting together trades for either player add a layer of complexity to these potential moves. As negotiations intensify and the offseason progresses, NBA fans will be eagerly watching to see where these star players ultimately land.