Los Angeles Lakers should throw the bank at Klay Thompson this summer
By Jason Reed
Recent rumors are circling that Klay Thompson might not be as happy in Golden State as we all think, which is music to the Los Angeles Lakers’ ears.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in search of a second star this summer and seemingly come in second place in the race for all of the marquee stars. However, that could change with the recent rumors circling around Klay Thompson.
Stephen A. Smith reported on ESPN’s First Take that Thompson is reportedly unhappy with his situation in Golden State and that he is tired of getting the quote “crumbs” left behind from the other guys, presumably Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (h/t NBC Sports).
If you know anything about Stephen A. Smith then you might not be taking his word that seriously. However, the basketball insider did preface his statement by saying it was legitimate information that he heard from inside sources.
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Whether or not that is true will play itself out this summer. But if there is even an ounce of unhappiness in Thompson, the Los Angeles Lakers should be very excited.
Thompson has always been viewed as the textbook fit for this Lakers team but as time as passed it has gotten more and more unlikely that he actually leaves the Warriors. Thompson can get a max contract from the Warriors this summer, who will have cap space with Kevin Durant likely signing with another team.
If Durant stays in Golden State that just about guarantees that Thompson is leaving. But even if Durant leaves, despite the money, Thompson might want to explore his options.
That is where the Los Angeles Laker should come in and offer Thompson the max contract that they can offer him. Some may argue that Thompson is not worth a max deal but he fits this team so perfectly that the Lakers could not afford to mess it up.
First of all, he is a top-three three-point shooter in the league and gives LeBron James exactly what he needs on this Lakers team. Having someone that can play off-ball and knock down shots is huge in an offense that has LeBron.
Not only is that enticing, but Thompson is an elite defender that the Lakers can stick on the opposing team’s best guy during the playoffs. The Lakers do not have that right now and having that defender is massive for a seven-game series.
The Lakers have a hole at starting shooting guard to fill and Thompson is not someone that is going to clash with LeBron.
As long as he knows his role and is getting his fair share of action, which he will be in LA, then three will be no clashing egos, which is a risk the Lakers would take if they instead signed someone like Jimmy Butler.
If Thompson and Durant both leave the Golden State Warriors then you could make the case that they will be just a mid-level playoff team in the West. The door would be wide open to get to the NBA Finals and the Lakers, with Thompson, would be more than good enough to make that run.
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Laker fans better hope that where there is smoke there is fire and that Thompson is legitimately disappointed with his current role on the Warriors. If so, there exists a path in which he becomes a Laker.