With the legal free agent period in the NBA about to begin, a couple of key Los Angeles Lakers players have made decisions on their player options for next season. Starting point guard D’Angelo Russell, as well as backup center Jaxson Hayes, have exercised their options, while LeBron James has opted out in order to become a free agent.
James would reportedly take a pay cut on his next Lakers contract to help them add a difference-maker with the full mid-level exception. One free agent whose arrival may entice James to do so is Klay Thompson.
Thompson, per Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times, is interested in coming to the Lakers, although he will also talk to the Dallas Mavericks and likely other teams.
Sources: Klay Thompson is intrigued about playing with the Lakers and LeBron James, provided he re-signs with the Lakers. Thompson plans on talking with the Lakers, as well as Dallas.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 29, 2024
It seems L.A. is emphasizing improving its 3-point shooting with the arrival of new head coach JJ Redick, who was a deadly 3-point sniper during his 15-year playing career. While Thompson isn’t quite the player he used to be following his ACL and Achilles injuries a few years ago, he is still a legitimate threat from the outside.
In the last three seasons, he has shot just 43.3% from the field, compared to 45.9% in his first eight seasons before both injuries. But his 3-point shooting hasn’t fallen off as much — he has made 39.7% of his 3-point attempts over the last three years, compared to 41.9% in his first eight years.
In four games against the Lakers this season, the Golden State Warriors star averaged 20.0 points on 41.5% shooting from downtown and 45.3% shooting overall.
Thompson coming to the Lakers would also seem fitting, given the fact his father Mychal played for them and won two NBA championships with them in the late 1980s.
