The Los Angeles Lakers have struck out on a number of their top targets ahead of the February 5th NBA trade deadline, and while that shouldn’t rule out a move before then, the team is relatively restricted on the moves they can make right now to bolster the roster.
DeAndre Hunter and Keon Ellis were already traded, Naji Marshall and Jonathan Kuminga appear off the board, and any hope of adding Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn’t materialize until the summer. However, one player in particular could still be available, in the form of Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox urged the Lakers to land Thompson in a trade before the deadline. While the Mavericks don’t want to give up Marshall, they are reportedly shopping Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and D’Angelo Russell, as well as the four-time champion with the Golden State Warriors, and the Lakers could come in and snag the shooting wing.
Thompson went to Dallas to play with Luka Doncic, and while he isn’t the same caliber player he was even a few years ago, adding his shooting off the bench on this current Lakers team could be a strong addition before a postseason run.
Lakers Linked To Klay Thompson In Trade Rumors
This isn’t the first time Thompson has been linked to Los Angeles in his illustrious career. Before he signed with the Mavericks, there were rumblings about him going to the Lakers to join the then duo of LeBron James and Davis.
Though that never materialized, there was a report that if he got bought out, Los Angeles would be the team to watch out for.
“Dallas is going to [do a rebuild], now that AD [Anthony Davis] is out. And if Klay got bought out, I have it on good authority that the first call his agent would make would be to the Lakers. Because he would love to finish his career here,” John Ireland of ESPN radio previously said.
A buyout remains unlikely, despite the Mavericks’ overall poor form and major injuries this season. However, with Thompson’s mid-level contract, the Lakers could package Rui Hachimura or Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht in a deal back to Dallas for the shooter.
Thompson wouldn’t fix Los Angeles’ big issues on defense, but his outside shooting abilities, albeit in a limited role, could help the second unit for a very top-heavy Lakers team.
“Thompson isn’t an elite defender or even as consistent a defender as he was earlier in his career. However, the 35-year-old is still a pretty reliable range shooter, which is something the Lakers could use offensively,” Knox wrote. “It’s also worth noting that Thomson was brought to Dallas in order to complement Dončić, specifically. While Thompson probably wouldn’t be a long-term contributor in L.A., he’d be under contract next year and would fit the roster with or without James.”
The Lakers have been quiet at this trade deadline, and if Thompson is available, it’s at least worth giving the Mavericks a call for the four-time champion.
Lakers Trade Rumors
As previously mentioned, the Lakers seem to keep striking out on their top trade targets ahead of the deadline. Not because they aren’t trying, but likely because of the limited assets they have available to move this season. The trade pieces of Hachimura, Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Jarred Vanderbilt, Knecht, and a future first-rounder pale in comparison to what other contending teams have to offer.
Additionally, per insider Jake Fischer, the idea of the Lakers being buyers at this trade deadline is relatively unlikely, as they are focusing on building up the roster over the summer, once James leaves and they presumptively resign Austin Reaves to a near-max contract extension.
He reiterated their desire to
With a future highlighted by Doncic, they are dead set on having cap space and flexibility this summer to pair their superstar with defensive-minded wings and big men.
But regarding the upcoming trade deadline, the possibility of a big move, or any deal, for that matter, seems fleeting. Writing for The Athletic, Dan Woike said that their lack of assets, despite their interest in a number of players, has put them in a bind.
“No one internally is writing off the possibility that the Lakers will look different after Thursday’s trade deadline. Rival teams still describe them as “active.” But the reality is their lack of draft assets, players with trade value and focus on the summer could mean meaningful changes are more likely to come later rather than now,” he wrote.
Los Angeles will likely be busy, or at least hopes to be, this offseason. Antetokounmpo could very well remain in the cards as they’ll have more draft picks available to be moved, but for now, trading for a player like Thompson is likely the best they can do.
Lakers Linked To 4-Time Champ After Striking Out On Trade Deadline Targets