Quick Bytes
- LeBron James was willing to take a pay cut to add an impact player to the Lakers.
- Klay Thompson chose to sign with the Dallas Mavericks over the Lakers and other teams.
- The Lakers may now pursue other options like DeMar DeRozan to enhance their roster.
Lakers’ Pursuit of Klay Thompson Ends as He Joins Mavericks
In a surprising turn of events, Klay Thompson has decided to join the Dallas Mavericks, leaving behind his tenure with the Golden State Warriors. This decision came despite LeBron James’s willingness to take a pay cut for the Lakers to secure an influential player like Thompson.
Thompson, a former five-time All-Star, remains a formidable player, having averaged 17.9 points in the last season. His expertise as a shooter was highly sought after by the Lakers, who are looking to bolster their shooting capabilities under new head coach JJ Redick. However, with Thompson’s move to the Mavericks, the Lakers will have to redirect their focus to other potential additions.
The Lakers’ interest in Thompson was partly due to the belief that their current backcourt, consisting of D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, has maxed out its potential. With Thompson off the table and Russell’s $18.7 million player option in play, the Lakers might consider other trades to meet their roster needs. Speculation suggests that DeMar DeRozan could be a target for the Lakers, a player they have shown interest in over the past few years.
