Tristan Thompson: Pass
Tristan Thompson is set to become a free agent in this unfortunate free-agent market and many would love to see him reunited with his former Cleveland teammate LeBron James. But do the Lakes need him?
The LA Lakers have already two grinding, defensive centers. Dwight Howard expressed the intention to re-sign with the purple and gold and JaVale McGee is not going anywhere either. He worked pretty well in tandem with Anthony Davis to provide a defensive foundation for the purple and gold.
Thompson comes from arguably the best season of his career (statistics-wise). Still in his prime and having played out a five-year $82-million contract, he will not certainly be looking for the money and length the Lakers could offer him anyway.
Although he accepts to take a pay cut and sign a one-year contract to skip this offseason affected by the COVID-19-related losses, he still would be only a surplus for the team. Something they do not need and is not worth spending money for.
It looks like there is simply not a meeting point between the player and the team. Only if the Lakers lost one of his centers, Thompson could be taken in consideration, but, again, at a big cost for him. It would essentially be only on a rental, for the will to try and get another championship with his old friend.