The Los Angeles Lakers had a roller coaster off-season this past summer as many unexpected things had happened with the organization. The Paul George coming to L.A. that everybody thought a sure thing but didn't happen and the signing of LeBron James to a 4-year max deal. The Lakers somehow did a great job even if they failed to get Paul George, they just made the biggest signing with the best player in the world today.
Another thing here is the Kawhi Leonard trade. The Lakers is the top priority for Kawhi as he expressed publicly how much he wants to play in L.A. Everybody also thought that Kawhi will end up with the Lakers because of his desire to join them but unexpectedly again, Kawhi sign to another team, the Toronto Raptors. But even if they didn't get Kawhi this season, the Lakers will have the biggest chance to sign him next off-season when his contract expires. Nobody knows what will happen and we will all have to wait until next summer.
Even the Lakers failed getting top tier players other than LeBron, the Lakers made their greatest move this off-season after waiving Luol Deng's huge contract giving the Lakers a lot of cap space next summer and allowing them to sign another max free-agent and they will have a bunch of choices. They can offer up to $38 million and who do not want that playing for the City of L.A. alongside King James?
I think this will be the start for the Lakers, they can now attract top free agents and the Lakers can come back again to the big stage and on top of the Western Conference. Next summer will be huge for the Lakers. According to reports, the Lakers will just discuss a contract to the player who wants to come but there are many speculations that Klay will be the man. Some also says that Thompson might be the Lakers' top priority rather than Kawhi Leonard because nobody even knows if Kawhi will stay in Toronto. I think Kawhi himself still don't know what will be his decision. I believe he will come up with a decision base on the results of this upcoming season. If Toronto makes it to the Finals and compete for a championship, I think that would be a huge factor in his decision.
Kawhi Leonard is one of the best players and will surely boost Los Angeles' fire power both in offense and defense but the Lakers may prefer Klay Thompson because he might be the better fit. Klay is probably the best shooter in the 2 position in the NBA today. He has the most deadliest catch and shoot three-pointer and can also create his own shots. Klay is a microwave who can hit multiple buckets if it gets going in early. He's one of the hardest to handle shooter because he can shoot the ball right in the defender's face even if it is well-contested.
Klay is also a defensive specialist who can guard top-tier talents and lock them down. LeBron James will benefit most with Klay's talent and abilities. Klay can space the floor well and open the driving lane for LeBron and when LeBron is double-teamed, he can kick it out to Klay for a three-pointer. LeBron is one of the best passers and play makers and Klay can move without the ball and find himself at the right place.
Also notice this one, Luke Walton is the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Klay Thompson play for the Warriors under Coach Steve Kerr and we all know that Luke is the assistant coach of the Warriors before he became the head coach of the Lakers. The thing here is the system, Klay don't need a lot of adjustments here because he's very familiar with Coach Walton and they won championships together. In my own opinion, Klay Thompson is a better choice than Kawhi and the Lakers are also loaded at the 3 position and they needed a top-tier shooter.
It is not sure whether Klay wants a different path next summer or if he will stay in Oakland. It will be a very hard decision for Klay because he is part of a well-built dynasty in Golden State and one of the players that the team developed into a star. One thing is for sure for me, the Lakers will sign another max player next summer and the question is who will it be?
That will be all for today basketball fans! Have a great day!
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