Klay Thompson Could Be the Boost LeBron, Lakers Need to Contend amid NBA Rumors

Constructing a championship-caliber roster over the 2024 NBA offseason was never going to be easy for the Los Angeles Lakers.

With the right amount of good fortune, though, it might actually be happening.

Granted, this group has a ton of ground to cover to level up from a play-in participant to a heavyweight contender. But it has covered a good amount of ground already, tabbing hoops mastermind JJ Redick as its new coach and scoring the draft's biggest steal with fiery scorer Dalton Knecht falling in its lap with the No. 17 pick.

The Lakers' luck could continue in free agency. Historic sharpshooter and four-time champion Klay Thompson included the Lakers among the four teams he planned to meet with upon splitting from the Golden State Warriors, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Thompson even reportedly got a call from LeBron James "right when free agency opened," per Wojnarowski.

Thompson may not be the player he was at his peak, but he could perfect for what the Lakers need.

Spacing Issues Could Be a Thing of the Past

Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 16: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors holds his follow through during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nearly two years have passed since James lamented the Lakers' lack of "lasers" on the team. The front office may finally be heeding his call.

A properly spaced Lakers' attack could be unstoppable. James remains one of the league's hardest to handle when he's going downhill. Anthony Davis is a hoop-waiting-to-happen if he has room to roll to the rim or crash the offensive glass. The effectiveness of Austin Reeves' timely off-ball cuts or on-ball drives could rocket up with better breathing room.

And all signs point to the Lakers having that this season. Or, at least they would with Thompson.

Certain elements of his game may have aged—he is 34 with some massive injuries behind him, after all—but the three-ball remains one of the Association's most potent. His 268 triples ranked fourth overall this past season, and he converted his long-range looks at a 38.7 percent clip.

Between his perimeter shot, Knecht's own laser and Redick's understanding of how to create open looks, L.A.'s three-point attack could be dramatically improved.

The Lakers Could Be Closer to Contending Than It Seems

Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 18: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Western Conference pose for a photo prior to the 2024 73rd NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)

James and Davis rank favorably among the league's top two-man tandems. While it takes more than two players to make a title run, this is the kind of superstar foundation around which that type of success can happen.

The Lakers weren't great this past season, but they looked a lot closer to it when they had their best players on the court. James and Davis logged 1,726 minutes together; L.A. won them by 3.4 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com. That isn't a monster number, but it still would have tied the Los Angeles Clippers for seventh overall in net efficiency.

The stars did their part. The Lakers' supporting cast didn't quite deliver, and that's where adding a proven champion like Thompson could be big.

Whether used as a high-minutes reserve (ideally) or perhaps a starter who maybe doesn't always stick with the closing group, he would be a reliable source of spacing and savvy. Those are two hugely helpful elements to have alongside a talent like James.

L.A. Could Might Not Be Finished

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 24: Rob Pelinka speaks as the Los Angeles Lakers host a press conference to introduce JJ Redick, right, as the new head coach at UCLA Health Training Center on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Even if the Lakers sign Thompson, some will complain about how this hasn't been a home-run offseason. And they're kind of right.

Here's what those skeptics might be missing, though: L.A. hasn't even pulled back for its power swing yet.

The draft wasn't supposed to deliver a difference-maker at No. 17. It might have done so anyway if Knecht is nearly as good as he looked with the volunteers. Options were supposed to be limited in free agency, especially once D'Angelo Russell opted into his deal. Then, James entertained the idea of leaving some money on the table to help improve the roster, Thompson became available and perhaps another impact player just fell in their laps.

That home-run swing could still be coming, though. Remember, the Lakers haven't had to cash in a single trade chip yet. If the right player became available, they still have an all-in push to make. And with multiple future first-round picks, young players like Jalen Hood-Schifino and even Austin Reaves if absolutely needed, their all-in push could capture the attention of any seller.

This has been a more productive than expected start to the summer, and it might only be the beginning.