The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing well over the past month or so, especially offensively, and it has resulted in a three-game winning streak and 11 victories in their last 16 games.
However, many still don’t believe they’re true championship contenders, and it has led to a great deal of talk lately that they will look to make a big move this offseason.
Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, Kyrie Irving and Dejounte Murray have been mentioned as stars L.A. could try to trade for this summer. In addition, according to Shams Charania, it could make a play for Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson.
"I think the lack of an extension for Klay Thompson has been an issue and his free agency is looming..
He was amazing last night and he's shown that he can still help a team" @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/VQL08SyDEW
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 16, 2024
Thompson is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of this season. His resume is stellar — four NBA championships, five All-Star selections, two All-NBA nods and one appearance on the All-Defensive second team.
However, he isn’t the player he used to be prior to tearing his ACL and Achilles a few years ago. He’s shooting 42.1% overall and 37.3% from 3-point range this season. Both figures are well below his career marks. He has been struggling so much that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr benched him for Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz.
One thing that may make some believe Thompson is a real candidate for the Lakers is the fact his father Mychal played for them in the late 1980s and won two world championships there. The elder Thompson has been a color commentator for Lakers radio broadcasts over the past two decades.