Klay Thompson will be one of the most notable free agents available this summer.
The five-time NBA All-Star has spent his entire 11-year career with the Golden State Warriors but is on an expiring $43.2 million deal.
On Friday, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium (appearing on the Pat McAfee Show) reported that the Los Angeles Lakers could be among several teams that will have an interest in Thompson over the offseason.
Charania: “From everything, I expect him to test the marketplace. I would expect both Florida teams, I would expect both LA teams, I would expect potentially a couple of East Coast teams to have interest in Klay Thompson. He’s as of right now, unless there’s a miracle extension, he’s gonna test the marketplace and I think the Warriors have understood; going into the year after they didn’t extend him, his future’s up in the air just for the simple fact that he’s gonna be going into free agency.”
Thompson has played in 50 games and is averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest while shooting 42.1% from the field and 37.3% from the three-point range.
In the team’s last game, he came off the bench but exploded for 35 points, six rebounds and two assists while shooting 13/22 from the field and 7/13 from the three-point range in only 28 minutes of playing time.
Since 2015, Thompson has helped lead the Warriors to four NBA Championships and six Finals appearances.
The Lakers are currently the ninth seed in the Western Conference with a 30-26 record in 56 games.
