The trade deadline for the Los Angeles Lakers was quiet.
In the market for buyouts after the deadline, the team decided to sign Spencer Dinwiddie. However, they were not idle behind the scenes, swatting away some would-be suitors of some of their players, most notably LeBron James, and searching for possible deals to strengthen the squad.
The Philadelphia 76ers expressed interest in James but were turned down by Lakers management. The Golden State Warriors expressed interest in the Lakers star, but he declined.
With five-time All-Star Klay Thompson now on the Warriors’ roster, the Lakers could attempt to steal him.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania stated on the “Pat McAfee Show” on February 16 that “I expect him to test the marketplace.” “I anticipate interest in Klay Thompson from both Florida and Los Angeles teams, as well as possibly a few East Coast teams.”
Thompson, 34, is nearing the end of a $189.9 million, five-year contract. At the All-Star break, the Warriors are only one game above.500, which is a sign of impending offseason changes.
Thompson might very well be one of those modifications.
The four-time champion Splash Brother is shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc this season and averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Despite missing three straight seasons due to injury, he has only missed 13 games in the past season and a half.
Lakers Would Be Getting a Diminished Klay Thompson in Free Agency
“He has demonstrated his ability to be Klay Thompson.” I believe he can go and really assist a team,” Charania remarked. And after that, there’s the issue of his function, correct? .. However, Klay Thompson, a four-time champion and All-Star caliber player, is currently playing off the bench. That requires a change.
Thompson was frank in his discussion of Head Coach Steve Kerr’s choice to start rookie Brandin Podziemski instead of him.
In the Warriors’ February 15 victory over the Utah Jazz, the 6-foot-6 swingman answered with 35 points on 59.1% shooting from the field, including going 7-for-13 from beyond the arc.
But he’s not the same defender he used to be, especially out on the perimeter.
This season, he has spent more time at power forward because he is still a capable player. According to Basketball Reference, he has played small forward more often during the previous two seasons. In addition, Thompson’s defensive rating of 120 is a career low, surpassing the record he set only the previous season.
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