Los Angeles Lakers: Why Klay Thompson is the best target next summer

By Jason Reed | Sep 4, 2018

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 03: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Klay Thompson is the perfect piece to put alongside LeBron James

The idea of signing someone like Kawhi Leonard or DeMarcus Cousins certainly is intriguing. Those two guys are set to be the two most talented guys available next summer, depending on what other superstars opt in and out their contract.

Heck, even Kevin Durant has emerged as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers, which probably would make Durant more hated than he already is. But hey, I would not put it past him.

However, for various different reasons, those guys are not great fits alongside LeBron James. While the talent alone would probably be enough to win an NBA Title, the Lakers would not be getting the most out of the roster by signing those guys.

Thompson, on the other hand, is the perfect complementary star to put alongside LeBron James. He checks the two most important boxes, three-point shooting and defense and can heat up at any time and provide much-needed scoring relief to LeBron.

Plus, Thompson is very low maintenance, which is huge for a player that is playing alongside LeBron. We all saw what happened with Isaiah Thomas in their short partnership. Thompson has shown that he is okay the second star while playing alongside Stephen Curry and Durant.

Each of LeBron’s title-winning teams has had an elite guard alongside James. Add Thompson to that list.

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