Since beginning a three-game losing streak in early November, the Los Angeles Lakers have won 12 of their previous 17 games and four of their previous five games. In that time, they have not suffered back-to-back losses in games.
However, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic is not persuaded by their impressive start and thinks Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors could be the solution given there is still space for improvement on the roster.
“All the Lakers need is another ball handler and a starting wing.” On the “Game Theory” podcast on December 14, Vecenie stated, “I think they just need… stuff on the perimeter.” “Klay is running out of time. What market does Klay Thompson serve? The Lakers would most likely be interested, in my opinion. Though I’m not sure, I believe that.
Thompson, 33, isn’t making as much as he used to.
Thompson is averaging 15.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists going into the Warriors’ matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. He is shooting a career-worst 34.3% from beyond the arc. Thompson only set his previous career low of 38.4% during the previous season According to NBA.com, Thompson was still making 42.9% of his pull-up threes. And when the Clippers are in play, he is 5-for-12 (41.7%) from the right corner.
He scored 30 points in the game, making eight of his 12 three-pointers, a season high.
On December 13, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins questioned, “Remember when I said trade him?” on “NBA Today.” Not because I think Klay’s game is over. I firmly think that Klay needs a fresh start. I think Klay will be at his best if he is in a different circumstance.
Thompson, who is in the last year of a five-year, $189.9 million contract, has occasionally shown signs of frustration.
“Frustrated” Klay Thompson This Year
“This season’s Thompson slump feels different,” Kendra Andrews of ESPN wrote on November 28. “Sources told ESPN that he is carrying a heavy load from his contract negotiations, and he seems to be more irritated during games. During timeouts, he occasionally sits by himself on the end of the bench or slaps his head when he makes a poor shot.
