Right when he took the podium to break down his decision to draft Bronny James, Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka waxed poetic about how much pride he and the organization take in making basketball history. In a legacy that includes 17 championships and numerous all-time greats of the game — now adding a whole new chapter with the father-son pairing of Bronny and LeBron — the Lakers aren’t acting like a team that will stop taking big swings.
The fact that LeBron is entering his 22nd NBA season basically mandates that the Purple and Gold go all-in for at at least one more push for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Drafting Bronny felt like a good-faith gesture that LeBron will be back with the Lakers on a lucrative three-year contract. His decision to opt out on Saturday doesn’t mean The King will explore his options on the open market.
Just In: Los Angeles Lakers four-time champion LeBron James intends to opt out of his $51.4 million player option for next season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The expectation is James will return to the Lakers on a new deal. pic.twitter.com/wQAbSAwCQD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2024
In fact, LeBron is willing to take a pay cut to secure a full mid-level exception role player.
Our ESPN story on LeBron James’ contract situation with the Los Angeles Lakers is updated with quotes from Rich Paul of Klutch Sports as well as potential “impact” players James would be willing to take a pay cut to land https://t.co/ImI49TKWCE
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 29, 2024
…And now that Klay Thompson is hitting free agency, having won four championships with the Warriors, he seems like the ideal fit in LA in so many different ways.
Klay Thompson and the Warriors are braced for the end of an era.
Three teams have emerged as strong suitors for Thompson, with Golden State open to sign-and-trade deals to aid in his earning potential elsewhere, sources said. Full story: https://t.co/Akkl8cSmni pic.twitter.com/5psPzkfT29
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2024
Shams is reporting that the Clippers, Mavs and Lakers are all intrigued by adding Klay to the mix. If those are indeed the only three aggressive suitors, to me, the Lakers are the no-brainer pick.
The Clippers have Kawhi and a whole lot of nothing else in terms of core players who’ve won championships. Dallas just made it to the NBA Finals, but if I were him, I’d wonder how long Kyrie Irving will stay on good behavior. Although Texas is appealing for not having a state income tax, the Lakers have — that’s right — a huge piece of history to sell Klay on.
Klay’s father, Mychal Thompson, was a key part of the Showtime Lakers in the 1980s and a member of their back-to-back championship-winning squads in 1987 and 1988. It wouldn’t be as big of a move for Klay to make from the Bay Area. It’d be a homecoming to the City of Angels, where he was born and where he went to high school.
Happened to stumble upon this, too: Mychal talking about how Klay would fit with the Lakers, and his insistence that his son should go there to boot.
Mychal Thompson a while back on Klay’s free agency 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/qxrJWPaMog
— 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 (@SixthManJake) June 29, 2024
You can bet the 401k that former NBA sharpshooter and new Lakers head coach JJ Redick will be pounding the table for Klay. For an aging veteran who’s perceived to be declining, what better environment is there for Klay to go to than the Lakers? He could pick up some tips from Redick — who had to overcome innate athletic limitations (by NBA standards!) to extend/maximize his playing career — and LeBron, who’s the human embodiment of the Fountain of Youth.
Both LeBron and Klay have business decisions to make that, at the end of the day, are actually legacy decisions. It’d be such a cool inflection point to see the son of a Showtime Laker and second-greatest shooter to ever do it share the hardwood with the NBA’s inaugural father-son duo. Many early indications point to this happening.
Imagine Klay with the Lakers 😮🌴
(via @TheSteinLine) pic.twitter.com/nAoBhCRf6b
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 29, 2024
Sources: Klay Thompson is intrigued about playing with the Lakers and LeBron James, provided he re-signs with the Lakers. Thompson plans on talking with the Lakers, as well as Dallas.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 29, 2024
Lakers, Clippers, and Mavs among suitors for Klay, per Shams.
The Lakers are the ideal fit IMO. Sign for the MLE. Still bring 40% shooting from 3, and protected on defense by AD. LA is also is home. His dad announces games on the radio. If you’re gonna leave that’s the spot. https://t.co/Tv8fbuUMhJ
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 29, 2024
Come on home, Klay. It’d be great for the league and for your place in history. Even though the Mavs might be the most pragmatic and lucrative choice, imagine the macro-implications of donning the Purple and Gold.
