The Los Angeles Lakers have some work to do this offseason now that the Boston Celtics took the lead with their 18th NBA championship. One name continues to be linked to the Lakers, even if the idea remains unlikely.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith noted that Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson would “love” to join the Lakers, while adding that the financials make this a slim reality. The analyst believes the New York Knicks are much more likely landing spot than the Lakers.
“Well, in a perfect world, Klay would love to be in Los Angeles,” Smith detailed in a June 17, 2024 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, but that’s where he’d love to be. But I’d say learn to like New York.”
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 just completed a sizable five-year, $189 million contract with Golden State. It remains to be seen what Thompson will be able to command on the open market in free agency. NBC Sports’ Bay Area’s Monte Poole reported that Thompson is seeking a three-year deal, at minimum.
“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.
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