The LA Lakers are looking to make moves this offseason and a Klay Thompson trade could be a target as a part of the Kevin Love deal between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves and to pull it off Los Angeles would have to give up their number seven pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
The Lakers came into the offseason knowing they would have a top 10 pick and now they have to weigh whether to trade it or not and that is a major decision, as this draft is one of the best in the past five years. According to ESPN.com, the Lakers are looking at trying to turn the Golden State Warriors deal for Kevin Love into a three team affair and this comes as the trade talks have slowed down in recent days as Golden State debates whether to deal Thompson or not. ESPN.com first reported the news that Golden State was looking to add Thompson and he is considered to be one of the best young shooters in the league.
The Lakers had a very rough season with Kobe Bryant injured and the team missed the playoffs by a long shot and they had one of their worst records in team history. The Lakers ended up with a top 10 pick in a strong draft and if they opt to keep the pick, they should be able to get a solid player like Marcus Smart, Nik Stauskas, Rodney Hood or even Joel Embiid if he slips due to the foot surgery he needs. The report from ESPN about the Thompson interest would have the Lakers trading for Thompson for the pick and then the Warriors using that pick in the deal with Minnesota, getting Love for David Lee and likely Harrison Barnes.
Thompson will not cost much next year, as he is making $3 million next season and eventually he will be in line for a bigger contract, likely between $10 million and $13 million. The Lakers have the money to sign him since the team has cleared most of their future cap space and adding Thompson alongside Kobe Bryant could be the perfect way for the team to bounce back after a tough year. Thompson is young enough to build around and is a player that could play off Kobe, but the Warriors are reluctant to break up the duo of Thompson and Stephen Curry, even if it means getting Love.
Thompson's father Mychal, who previously played in the NBA and is a broadcaster in Los Angeles, has plenty of connections to the city and his son likely would welcome a trade there over Minnesota. The Lakers have the chance to trade their draft pick if they want to move up to get Embiid and they also can use it for the Thompson deal. The Warriors love what they have in Thompson and the team may not want to break up that group with Steve Kerr just coming in, even if it means getting Kevin Love.
The Lakers went just 27-55 last season and the team ended up firing Mike D'Antoni and now they are looking for a new head coach and they are hoping to lure free agents as well, including names like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony along with Kyle Lowry and Luol Deng.