Los Angeles Lakers: 5 wildly ambitious free agency targets in next 3 years
Klay Thompson, SG, Golden State Warriors
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2019
Man, could you imagine a passer like Lonzo Ball having a knockdown shooter like Klay Thompson to kick the ball out to? That would be a dynamic duo for the Lakers, and one that isn’t as crazy as it may seem.
Realistically, the Golden State Warriors aren’t going to have the cap space to give Thompson the contract he deserves in 2019. Unless he’s willing to take a significant pay cut or another star jumps ship, it seems like Thompson is destined for a departure from the Bay Area.
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If that is the case, the Lakers absolutely have to be among his top potential landing spots.
The connections are there. Thompson was born and raised in Los Angeles, so he has ties with the area. His father, Mychal, played for the Lakers in his final five NBA seasons and still has a prominent relationship with the franchise. Either way, it’s not as farfetched of a match as it sounds like on the surface.
Obviously it depends on what the Lakers’ financial situation looks like come 2019 free agency. However, if they’ve got the spending power and a need for a sharpshooter at the 2, Thompson would be the perfect solution to that problem.
It’s not like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is going to be around at that point. Plus, Thompson’s elite defense would be welcomed into Los Angeles with open arms.