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Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers had a quiet trade deadline. The team opted to sign Spencer Dinwiddie in the post-deadline buyout market. But they were active behind the scenes, both looking for potential deals to improve the team as well as shooing away some prospective suitors of some of their players, namely LeBron James.
James drew interest from the Philadelphia 76ers, who were rebuffed by Lakers brass. The Lakers star declined interest from the Golden State Warriors.
Now, the Lakers could try poaching the Warriors, namely five-time All-Star Klay Thompson.
“I expect him to test the marketplace,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania said on the “Pat McAfee Show” on February 16. “I would expect both Florida teams, I would expect both LA teams, I would expect potentially a couple East Coast teams to have interest in Klay Thompson.”
Klay came off the bench tonight& got HOT from beyond the arc ☔️
Thompson, 34, is in the final year of a five-year, $189.9 million contract. The Warriors are just one game above .500 at the All-Star break, setting the stage for offseason changes.
One of those changes could very well be Thompson.
The four-time champion Splash Brother is averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc this season. He’s also missed just 13 games over the last season-plus after injuries eliminated or marred three consecutive campaigns.
“He’s shown still that he can be Klay Thompson. He can go and help a team, I think to a high degree,” Charania said. “And then you have this question of his role, right? … But this is a guy, Klay Thompson – he’s a four-time champion, All-NBA, All-Star-caliber guy – now coming off the bench. That’s an adjustment.”
Thompson spoke candidly about Head Coach Steve Kerr’s decision to go with rookie Brandin Podziemski in the starting lineup over him.
“You can do two things, you can pout, or you can go out there and respond.”
Klay reveals how he shifted his mindset in coming off the bench after a talk with Kerr 👏
THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS’ KLAY THOMPSON DROPS 35 POINTS IN IMPRESSIVE WIN OVER UTAH JAZZ
In a stunning display of skill and accuracy, Klay Thompson, the 6-foot-6 swingman for the Golden State Warriors, showcased his scoring prowess by dropping 35 points in their recent victory against the Utah Jazz. Thompson’s shooting was on fire, as he made an impressive 59.1% of his shots from the floor, including an impressive 7-for-13 from beyond the arc. This performance solidifies Thompson’s status as a key player for the Warriors.
However, while Thompson’s offensive abilities are still top-notch, his defensive skills have declined, particularly on the perimeter. As the game has evolved, Thompson’s role has shifted, with more time spent playing power forward this season. Despite this change, he remains a formidable player. Basketball Reference data shows that Thompson has increasingly played as a small forward over the past two seasons. It is worth noting that Thompson currently holds a career-worst 120 defensive rating, surpassing his previous record set just last season.
As the season progresses, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a position where they could potentially acquire a game-changing player for their postseason run. With no deal in sight and no immediate resolution on the horizon, Thompson’s future with the Warriors remains uncertain. According to reports, the team offered him a two-year extension worth $48 million. However, this falls short in comparison to his teammate Draymond Green’s four-year, $100 million contract. Unless a miraculous extension occurs, Thompson is expected to explore other options in the upcoming offseason.
The main obstacle for the Lakers in pursuing Thompson is the financial aspect. Money plays a significant role, as several teams are projected to have at least $20 million in cap space next season, including the Philadelphia 76ers. To secure Thompson’s services, the Lakers will need him to prioritize staying on the West Coast, where he has embraced the Bay Area lifestyle, over potentially joining other teams in sunny destinations like Miami.
In conclusion, Klay Thompson’s remarkable performance against the Utah Jazz highlights his scoring ability and importance to the Golden State Warriors. However, his defensive skills have declined, particularly on the perimeter. The Los Angeles Lakers could potentially benefit from Thompson’s talents, but financial considerations may hinder their pursuit. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen where Thompson’s future lies and if he will continue to be a key player in the NBA.
According to the Source heavy.com