In an offseason buildup defined by familial bonds, the Los Angeles Lakers are seeing a familiar name pop up once more. Klay Thompson, future Hall of Famer and son of former Lakers big man Mychal Thompson, is set to enter unrestricted free agency.
While the price he's commanding could sit outside of the Lakers' financial reach, there's still a Splash worth considering in Los Angeles.
Thompson, 34, has played for the Golden State Warriors since he was selected at No. 11 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. Over the course of his 13 seasons with the Warriors, he's helped the team win four championships and make six trips to the NBA Finals.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, however, Thompson may have played his last game as a member of the Warriors.
Klay Thompson intends to test free agency, per @ShamsCharania.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 17, 2024
"Thompson is open to all external options in free agency coming up.”
🎥 @RunItBackFDTV pic.twitter.com/NVF5WvUp6f
There will be an abundance of options for Thompson in free agency, but that's unlikely to dissuade the Lakers from exploring a potential fit.
Could the Lakers sign Klay Thompson this summer?
Thompson is widely regarded as one of the best shooters in NBA history. He ranks sixth all-time in three-point field goals made with 2,481 and boasts a career three-point field goal percentage of .413—an absurd combination of volume and efficiency.
Of the five players who rank ahead of him in makes, only two have a career three-point field goal percentage of .400 or better: Ray Allen and Stephen Curry.
After playing just 32 games in three seasons between 2019-20 and 2021-22, Thompson has been attempting to rediscover his form over the past two campaigns. It's been a challenging experience, as his role with the Warriors has changed significantly during that time.
In 2023-24, Thompson came off the bench on 14 occasions—marking the first time since his rookie season that he wasn't a full-time starter.
As the Lakers explore sign-and-trade options in free agency, Thompson is likely to catch their attention. Los Angeles ranked 24th in three-point field goals made this past season and is in the market for a legitimate sharpshooter to help space the floor for Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
The cost will be the ultimate question in any potential negotiations, but Thompson could realistically start for his father's old team and play a crucial role alongside fellow NBA champions Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
It's a possibility that Pelinka and the Lakers are all but certain to explore.