Lakers have special Klay Thompson scheme if they miss out on Anthony Davis trade
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS have a special plan to land Klay Thompson if they fail in their attempts to trade for Anthony Davis before the deadline.
Lakers: Klay Thompson to join if Anthony Davis does says pundit
That’s according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who suggests the Lakers have made Thompson their top target in free agency.
The Lakers have been frustrated in their efforts to negotiate with the New Orleans Pelicans over the past week.
They offered a huge package including up to six players and two first-round picks, but that was quickly rebuffed by the Pelicans.
With the trade deadline closing in just a few hours, it is looking increasingly unlikely the Lakers will land Davis.
NBA trade deadline LIVE
That means the Lakers will immediately turn their attention to the 2019 free agency class.
While a number of top players are set to become available, it has been suggested stars such as Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant aren’t high on the Lakers.
However, Wojnarowski believes they will be hoping the Warriors don’t offer Thompson a max contract, giving the Lakers an opportunity to swoop in.
“One scenario that the Lakers are rooting for is for Golden State to not offer Klay Thompson a max contract,” he said on The Lowe Post.
“Try to get him to take a little less and that might turn Klay’s attention to L.A.
“But the Warriors know that, they’ve got a lot of money and they know that’s a guy that doesn’t want to leave them.”
Steph Curry was given a max contract by Golden State
“Klay should absolutely look at what they did for Steph Curry and say, ‘hey, I’m a splash brother too’.” Lowe added.
“‘I’m like a founding father of this team; I played hurt in the Finals’ I’m an ironman; take care of me too.’
“‘I’m maybe not as good as him, but I deserve the same treatment.’”
Golden State will have a tough decision to make this summer with both Durant and Thompson seeking max contracts.
But the New York Knicks have now created enough cap space to go after two top free agents in the summer, with Durant heavily linked with a move to the Eastern Conference franchise.