The Los Angeles Lakers began the summer hoping to improve their roster. Although they failed to sign any A-listers, they were connected to several players during free agency. Reports suggest the Lakers were interested in Klay Thompson and Gary Trent Jr. Jr.
Klay Thompson, one of the best three-point shooters, became a free agent after the 2023–24 season. The Lakers desperately wanted to sign him. However, the four-time NBA champion decided to join the Dallas Mavericks after 13 years with the Warriors. The Lakers couldn’t promise him a starting spot, which led to his decision to decline their offer.
In the meantime, the franchise also explored the trade market to sign Gary Trent Jr. However, the Milwaukee Bucks signed a one-year deal with the player before the Lakers could formally approach.
Lakers insider Anthony Irwin says that the Lakers’ failure to get these players was due in large part to their unwillingness. He noted, “Gary Trent Jr. signed in Milwaukee in large part because they promised a starting gig. Lakers didn’t want to promise a starting gig to Klay Thompson and didn’t offer it to GTJ. More here in The Lounge.”
With both Thompson and Trent Jr. out of the picture, the Lakers’ backcourt remains a question mark. The Lakers have two big stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but they don’t have a clear-cut starting backcourt, which could be a problem.
Warriors Owner Lacob Reflects on Klay Thompson’s Move to Mavericks
The Golden State Warriors officially bid farewell to Klay Thompson this offseason, as the sharpshooting guard signed a three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Warriors owner Joe Lacob recently addressed the bittersweet departure in an interview.
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Lacob joined The Athletic’s “Hoops Adjacent” podcast to discuss Klay Thompson’s departure from the Warriors. He shared what he texted Thompson the day after their initial phone call, right before NBA free agency began.
He said, “After he had called me and told me he had made the decision to move on, this was before free agency, he called me and was very nice about it and explained he didn’t like making the call but he said ‘I feel I just have to do this. Right after that, it was the next day, there was a few days before the beginning of free agency, I sent him that video of me bowing to him and it was just my way of saying”
Lacob further added about Klay’s future in Mavericks, “He will always be welcome in my life. I hope he feels the same. Honestly, I get a little teary-eyed about it… He’s just going to be in Dallas for a few years, and we’ll have to kick his ass. But that’s just the job. And I’m sure he feels the same way,”
