Los Angeles Lakers: Making the case for Tristan Thompson if bought out

By Jason Reed | Feb 21, 2020

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past the defense of Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 13, 2020 in Los Angeles, 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Reason for: It keeps him away from the Los Angeles Clippers

We alluded to it in the last slide but the one thing that the Los Angeles Lakers currently have an advantage over the Los Angeles Clippers in is size. Ivica Zubac is the team’s only traditional center and the Clippers will rely on Montrezl Harrell, who is solid, and likely Marcus Morris to be in the frontcourt in the crunch time of games.

This could be an issue against a team like the Lakers and a matchup that they could exploit. That makes someone such as Thompson extremely valuable to the Clippers, as he is someone who could earn his spot and be in the game in the final five minutes as a defensive option near the rim.

It sounds petty but the Los Angeles Lakers would be much better off with Thompson on the bench for them rather than him being in the game for the Clippers. The Clippers just signed a buyout guy in Reggie Jackson that would have been perfect for the Lakers, the Lakers could do the same back to the Clippers.

The Lakers undoubtedly have the first pick on Thompson as well. Thompson’s agent, Rich Paul, is LeBron’s agent and friend and there is no way that his first option would be to spurn his former teammate and a friend of his agent for their biggest rival this season.

If the Lakers pass on Thompson, well, you cannot blame him for wanting to sign with the Clippers, who are 1A in the West right now behind the Lakers.

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