Seems like we’re in the final moments of saying goodbye to the Splash Brother of the Warriors. It will be heartbreaking for GSW fans to see Klay Thompson don anything but blue and white, but that seems inevitable now. The 34-year-old guard will be disappointed to end his 13-year stay in San Francisco but with the sign of a new horizon in LA, the prospect can be tempting. The Warriors are not willing to give a 3-year contract to their star guard and reportedly agreed to give only a $20 million-a-year deal.
According to Chris B Haynes, Thompson felt “disrespected” by it. “I believe the Warriors are probably offering him an annually, low $20M-type of contract. Is he willing to walk away from that because he feels disrespected? It looks like he is,” the insider said during the latest episode of Game Time on NBA TV. Klay Thompson is now attracting interest from the Lakers, and according to Jake Fischer, it is a real possibility. Thompson can potentially take a pay cut to join the Purple and Gold, which will earn him $13 million a year.
Since JJ Redick took charge last week, the franchise is hell-bent on providing him with a competitive roster. And adding Thompson to the line-up would be a statement move for which Klay’s father is ready to go to the most extreme lengths. During the latest episode of WWE Smackdown on Saturday, 58-year-old Paul Heyman was sent crashing through a table. Applauding the manager’s nasty bump, Klay’s father, Mychal, wrote on X, “I STILL cant beleev the ‘BUMP’ Paul Heyman took on Smackdown…Paul’s a LEGEND.”
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A user commented whether the 2-time NBA champion is ready to take that sort of bump to see his son switch to the Lakers. In response, the former LA center wrote, “I’d DO IT.” There is also interest from the Mavs and the Magic, but going to the Lakers will be a moment of fulfillment for the entire Thompson family, won’t it?
I’d DO IT
— Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) June 30, 2024
During a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, the 5-time NBA All-Star discussed his free agency plans. He highlighted his sentiment of re-signing with the Dubs but also stressed the importance of “prioritizing his mental health” and being happy elsewhere if need be. Now it seems that will indeed be the case. If that happens, apart from Mychal, another Lakers heavyweight would be extremely happy to see Thompson in the Gold and Purple threads.
LeBron James wants Klay Thompson at the Lakers!
With Bronny James by his side next season, LeBron James is well on course and is aiming to make more NBA history. But why be satisfied with the father-son duo’s first-time record? Why not bring that 18th championship title to LA? Why not get that 5th ring? LeBron would certainly love to have a season of all-round satisfaction and he believes roping in Klay Thompson would do those his chances a world of good. Marc Stein wrote that LBJ is “hopeful” the Lakers can bring Klay Thompson to LA.
Having a capable shooter like Klay would solve their shooting problems. The Lakers’ 3-pts shooting fell from 37.7% to 29.9% in their last postseason series against the Nuggets and with the guidance of Redick, Thompson can make a difference. Dalton Knecht’s draft pick also indicates that they’re addressing that problem- the youngster shot 39.7 from deep in his final NCAA season.
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However, LeBron’s future itself is still unclear.
The Lakers are ready to table a 3-year $162 million deal for the 39-year-old, but no confirmation is out there as of the time of writing. With the Paris Olympics ahead, James would be more focused on the USA training camp and getting that Gold home alongside a super-star-studded roster, but one eye would surely be on Klay Thompson’s free agency market.
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Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this exclusive video by EssentiallySports.