The Los Angeles Lakers are going to have some tough decisions to make this NBA offseason. The moves that Rob Pelinka made ahead of the 2023 deadline paid major dividends as those players helped turn the season around. The Lakers finished as the seventh seed in the Western Conference and advanced to the Conference Finals.
However, it is clear that the roster needs a little more work to become true contenders again. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are excellent starting points, but the team was still swept by the Denver Nuggets out of the postseason.
Atop the Lakers’ to-do list is acquiring more shooting. Their 3-point accuracy was inconsistent throughout the season and failed them numerous times in the playoffs. James-led teams have found the most success when he is surrounded by shooters, so bringing in a few more would make sense.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Los Angeles also has multiple players set to hit free agency. Some of them, such as Austin Reaves, have put themselves in a position to cash in after strong performances. If he ends up being outside of the team’s price range, he could be used as a trade chip.
Who could the Lakers try and target? One suggested player is Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors. With Bob Myers stepping down from his position in the front office, the Warriors could be looking at some major changes being made this offseason as well.
What could a trade between the Lakers and Warriors look like? A suggested package is Reaves, Rui Hachimura and a 2029 first-round pick heading to Golden State in exchange for Thompson.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Thompson would be the perfect fit in a lineup alongside James and Davis. Despite being sidelined for more than two years with an ACL and Achilles tear, Thompson has shown capable of rounding back into shape. While his defense isn’t as impactful as it was in the past, Thompson remains an elite 3-point shooter at the very least.
Golden State commits to a bit of a youth movement around Stephen Curry with this deal. Reaves and Hachimura both played well at times in the postseason and would fill out the team’s depth at the guard and forward spots. Hachimura also showed his versatility by lining up at the center position for stretches of the playoffs.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
That first-round pick in 2029 could also become very valuable. While predicting the league’s landscape that far out is an impossibility, James will be well off into retirement by that time and Davis would be 36 years old, likely coming to the end of his career as well.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
