Klay Thompson has the pride, ego, and money to decide there is nothing more he would like in life than to win another NBA championship.
And Lakers may have given Klay perfect path to get even with the disrespectful Warriors by joining his hometown purple and gold. https://t.co/RgtdaPoTMT pic.twitter.com/ADxcEp9BqF
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 30, 2024
Could Klay Thompson Actually Sign with Lakers for NT MLE?
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June 29, 2024 12 Comments
“SF: Jarred Vanderbilt (? Rui would make no sense starting for defense)”/ per whoever this guy on X is???? Seriously??? Playing Vanderbilt (who should be dealt asap) with a questionable at this point in his career Klay Thompson would be 3.5 Lakers on offense versus 5 defenders…….Did Vanderbilt hand out free blow the minute he hit LA????
People don’t pay attention. Rui had a 113.9 defensive rating as a starter. Thats pretty good. It’s no coincidence that we were one of the best teams down the stretch after Ham finally put him in the starting lineup.
Michael, I continue to value your quality assessments. Your analysis are always excellent. I only rely on my eye test to break down games, but having statistics to analyze player performance like you and Tom do, is top notch. Keep up the good work, man!! For me, while the Lakers do not have the assets to make a big splash in this free-agency, I am sensing something of a big magnitude brewing. For example, Kelly Oubre Jr: An unrestricted free agent, Oubre’s valuation is around $14 million. The Lakers might consider him as an option.
As for my intuition about something big brewing, it’s possible! While the Lakers lack significant assets for trades, they’ll have to continue to explore free agency options in the hopes of convincing the free agents. Keep an eye out for any surprises! I pray that I am not wrong.
No, he hustles, plays solid PoA D and has improved his game until he got hurt. Folks under-sell on Vando a lot. I don’t, I’m a big believer but we’ll just see how it all shakes out. Not too worried about rotations since we don’t have a complete picture, yet.
I’m the “under-seller” on Vanderbilt….I feel much more comfortable with the Max Christie contract, I believe announced today, $32 million for 4 years. Would be great to find a taker for Vanderbilt’s $48 million/4 year…it’ll be hard to move, I feel. Maybe part of a trade for someone like Klay (sign and traceable?…I’m not a CBA expert….or expert at much….except the Lakers need a big, durable playable center)….
Klay ain’t that dude anymore and hasn’t been for quite some time. Those injuries just decimated him. His shot is no longer reliable and the defense is way below what it used to be. LeBron likes to play with a buncha vets but this would be a mistake.
I don’t think LeBron wants just those players but he wants Lakers to go all-in, which is generally what they’re never able to arrive at a consensus to do.Thus, they never close the deal on a coveted player.
The Lakers need to use the picks and swaps and the NT MLE to upgrade two of the starters. LeBron has given them the power to do this within the rules. Now Pelinka has no excuse other than to deliver.
As for the MLE, I’m not a fan of Klay. That’s where we should look to get a solid veteran center who can protect the rim when AD rests. Jonas, although I love what Kelly Olynyk could do.
The trade is where we look for a starting center (Kelly Olynyk) or wing (Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith), a true 3&D wing.
AD is and will be the starting g center. LeBron will start at the 4. It’s funny this is still a debate since literally every effort to move him to the 4 has made the team measurably worse on both ends of the floor. Even in the title year where he was the “4” he played a lot of minutes at center in the regular season and was almost exclusively the center in the playoffs. Better off going for wings or bigger guards. Honestly, I’d kick the tires on a Jordan Clarkson for Rui & JHS kind of move. Instant offense off the bench. Need some more bench firepower, if we can manage it.
About a month ago, Mason Plumlee came to my mind, he moves fairly well, plays physical, yes not a starter probably since days at Duke, but was thinking his minutes could be upped to 16-22/game (yeah, he’s never been an offensive threat but neither has Vanderbilt)….thought he would be a good addition, but saw he signed with Suns today for $3.3 M….Lakers still will have the two non-physical backup center/power forwards in Wood, and Hayes….
Amazing take again Thomas. He and Lebron can be starters and the All-NBA all washed team. Maybe Lebron’ll take the minimum and we can sign PG13.
My take on that is PG13 should take the minimum and give LeBron all he can be paid…(just when thinking about those two)…..and agree with Tom and a few others, Klay is a shell of himself, reminds me a little about how the Lakers were the final stop for Carmelo Anthony…
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