Report: LeBron James Recruiting Klay Thompson To Lakers

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, LeBron James is recruiting Klay Thompson to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Thompson is an unrestricted free agent. He will not return to the Golden State Warriors. 

Adrian Wojnarowski:

“I’m told LeBron James called Klay Thompson right when free agency opened…These conversations, this negotiation will go into tomorrow. There probably will not be a resolution tonight.”

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

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LeBron and Thompson faced each other in four consecutive NBA Finals in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 during LeBron’s second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thompson was also in LeBron’s Space Jam movie. 

Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Warriors while shooting 43.2% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc and 92.7% from the free-throw line.

Golden State missed the playoffs after losing the 9-10 play-in game to the Sacramento Kings. 

The Warriors drafted Thompson with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Thompson has made five All-Star teams, two All-NBA teams and one All-Defensive team with the Warriors. He has helped the franchise win four championships.

Thompson has career averages of 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks. He turns 35 next season.

LeBron, 39, has declined his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers worth $51.4 million. He will re-sign with LA and is open to taking a discount if the franchise can get an impact player. 

LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Lakers in 2023-24 in 71 games while shooting 54.0% from the floor, 41.0% from 3 and 75.0% from the free-throw line.

The Lakers lost to the Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. LA beat Golden State in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. 

The leading scorer in NBA history, LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018. He and Anthony Davis helped the franchise win the 2020 championship at the Walt Disney World bubble. 

LeBron is a four-time MVP, a four-time Finals MVP and a four-time champion. He’s arguably the best player in NBA history. 

Meanwhile, Thompson is one of the greatest shooters ever.