LeBron James has never taken a pay cut during his time with Los Angeles and was expected to seek a new max contract with the Lakers this summer. This all seemed inevitable as the Lakers were willing to pay it, but suddenly James' willingness to accept less than a max contract opens up a full mid-level exception for the Lakers, opening up a lot of possibilities.
This would be a new opportunity for the Lakers, but they would need LeBron's cooperation to make it happen, and it would have to be a player he thinks is worthy. Initial reports had suggested Klay Thompson, James Harden and Jonas Valanciunas were the three main candidates, but on Monday's “The Hoop Collective” podcast, ESPN's Brian Windhorst spoke about another possibility.
LeBron and Rich Paul met with the Lakers last week about this and from what I've heard they agreed to a short list of players that LeBron would be happy with for less money to join the Lakers and apparently one of them was Klay Thompson…I think there are more than three. [players on the list]I think DeMar DeRozan is on that list, and maybe one other person.
Thompson's name was mentioned in connection to the Lakers over the weekend, with reports that James had called Klay at the start of free agency.
However, DeMar DeRozan has not been linked to the Lakers this summer.
The Compton native and former Chicago Bulls player would bring an offensive boost that the current Lakers outside of LeBron and Anthony Davis can't provide. He averaged 24 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists last year with Chicago, but that kind of production is hard to come by, even as an aging star.
No player in his NBA career has wanted to join the Lakers more than DeRozan. The two have come close to merging multiple times, but it has yet to materialize. Will DeRozan's wish finally come true this summer?
DeRozan is an increasingly attractive option as an unrestricted free agent and in a rapidly shrinking market, and if LeBron approves, the move would strengthen the Lakers.
Is it better than acquiring Thompson? Probably not. Defensively, he probably offers a little bit more. Klay's shooting is so good, you have to think that's the best-case scenario for Los Angeles.
Still, it's reassuring to hear the Lakers have multiple options to strengthen this summer if Klay goes elsewhere.
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