The Los Angeles Lakers have some work to do this offseason now that the Boston Celtics hold the record for the most NBA championships. Despite the unlikely scenario, one name that keeps coming up is Klay Thompson. According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, the Golden State Warriors star would “love” to join the Lakers, although financial constraints make this difficult. Smith also mentioned that the New York Knicks are a more probable destination for Thompson than the Lakers.
“Well, in a perfect world, Klay would love to be in Los Angeles,” Smith said on the June 17 episode of “First Take.” “We all know that. I’m talking about the Lakers. I mean, could you imagine?”
No space — they can’t do it,” he said, referring to the salary cap. “But that’s where he’d love to be. But I’d say learn to like New York.”
Warriors Star Klay Thompson Has Obvious Ties to the Lakers
Thompson has been linked to the Lakers throughout his career given his strong ties to the franchise. Yet, Thompson has re-signed with the Warriors at every opportunity throughout his NBA tenure.
The star guard is a Southern California native. Thompson’s father Mychal Thompson played for the Lakers and currently works as a broadcast analyst for the team. Unless Thompson wanted to play for less money to join the Lakers, the guard’s only chance to land in Los Angeles would be a complicated sign-and-trade.
Thompson recently finished a substantial five-year, $189 million contract with Golden State. His market value in free agency is still uncertain. According to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, Thompson is looking for at least a three-year deal.
“Gone are the days when Thompson was among the NBA’s best two-way wings, an All-Defensive team selection whose exceptional shooting was the basis for five consecutive trips to the All-Star game,” Poole wrote in a June 17 story titled, “Barbosa hopes Klay prioritizes happiness in free-agent decision.” “He still can go for 30 or 40 on a given night, but frequency and efficiency have dipped, as has his defensive versatility.
For those reasons, Thompson realizes he won’t see anything like his expiring contract, a five-year max worth $190 million. League sources indicate he’s seeking an offer of at least three years.”
The Magic Continue to Be Linked to Klay Thompson in NBA Free Agency.
“The Magic can open up an excess of sixty million dollars in cap space this off season…One name to keep an eye on, Klay Thompson, I’m told there is mutual interest between the Magic and Klay Thompson.”
One team desperate to add more shooting this offseason is the Orlando Magic. Thompson and the Magic continue to be linked together as NBA free agency nears. The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported that there is a “mutual interest” between Thompson and Orlando.
“That, of course, is in the heart of NBA free agency, which officially begins June 30,” Charania and Slater noted in a June 17 article titled, “Klay Thompson to join Team Bahamas in Houston for Olympic training camp: Sources.” “Thompson is one of the most high-profile names on the market and his future with the Golden State Warriors remains unsettled.
For the first time in Thompson’s career, he has shown an appetite to explore external options. There remains mutual interest between Thompson and the Orlando Magic, according to league sources. The Warriors have made clear they want to bring Thompson back at the right price and in the right role.”
