Year after year, the Los Angeles Lakers are under pressure to come up with championship products on the court. The offseason has brought hope that perhaps the Lakers can find the right players again to build a championship-caliber roster for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As soon as the free agent market opened, James immediately began working on the Lakers' plan to pursue future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson.
As soon as the free agent market arrived, James reached out to Thompson to try and convince him to join the Lakers, who were struggling to secure the 18th banner, according to ESPN.
"I heard that LeBron James called Klay Thompson when the free agent market opened at 6 p.m. ET," Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter via ClutchPoints Twitter (X).
However, Klay Thompson still hasn't made a final decision; According to Wojnarowski, he expects the process of recruiting Thompson to continue until at least tomorrow.
"These dialogues and negotiations will continue until tomorrow. There may not be a solution tonight," Wojnarowski added.
Even though the 2023-24 season has been very tough for Klay Thompson, he remains a sought-after commodity in the free agent market due to his championship experience and excellent space ability. He may no longer be the second option on the offensive end as the Golden State Warriors needed last season, but Thompson should still be a high-level role player who has earned a lot of respect on the outside given his performance as a shooter.
The Lakers are also looking to add more three-point and defensive wing players, as they haven't had such a high-level player on their roster since Kentavius Caldwell-Pope was traded in 2021. LeBron James has had a hugely successful career, and he's surrounded by shooters on the same level as Thompson, so it's easy to see why James would do everything in his power to convince the 34-year-old shooting guard to join the Lakers.
The Lakers aren't the only team competing for Klay Thompson
As mentioned earlier, Klay Thompson remains a highly sought-after player in the free agent market because his playing hands and gloves complement each other. He is a plug-and-play player who can influence any competitive team as he can shoot both on the move and on the catch.
In addition to the Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers are also Thompson's most talked-about suitors. The Mavericks have already made a few moves in the offseason, trading Quentin Grimes and signing Naji Marshall as the de facto replacement for Derrick Jones Jr. However, it looks like they're not done yet. Considering how hard they've worked to open up space in the NBA Finals, bringing in Thompson is an excellent way to address one of the team's most pressing flaws.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are in a transition phase; After another brief playoff trip due to injury, Paul George decided to take his talent elsewhere, with Russell Westbrook leaving the team and Mason Plumlee on the verge of becoming a full-fledged member of the Phoenix Suns. The addition of Klay Thompson gives the Clippers a sniper who can replace George; But for a team that lacks athleticism and speed in multiple positions, is bringing in a 34-year-old defender really the best option?
However, the Lakers have LeBron James, and having someone with such influence could help Thompson make decisions in favor of the Purple and Gold. However, only time will tell if James' recruitment was successful.
LeBron James and his team will still have a busy offseason
The Lakers have already accomplished some tasks in the offseason, hiring JJ Redick as the team's new head coach and also signing Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million contract extension. LeBron James will also return to the Lakers with his son Bronny, and he would even be willing to take a pay cut if it means the Lakers can bring in more talent.
But the Lakers should also be busy when it comes to trades. In addition to the high-value contracts of the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, they have several first-round picks to trade. If there is a suitable trade, perhaps Austin Reaves or Jarred Vanderbilt could also be involved, although Reaves is highly regarded by the Lakers, the chances of Reaves being included are slim.
With James approaching 40 years old, the Lakers are expected to strive to become a star player this offseason.