The Los Angeles Lakers have been shopping their No.7 pick for quite some time now and it seems they have finally found a good place for it. The Lakers are in talks with the Golden State Warriors to acquire Klay Thompson in exchange for the No.7 pick in this summer's NBA Draft, according to Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times. The deal is reportedly part of a much bigger, three-way trade between the Lakers, Timberwolves, and Warriors, that would send Kevin Love to Golden State.
Klay Thompson, who averaged 18.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists including almost three 3-pointers a game last season for the Warriors, is considered as a rising star in this league. His scoring and shooting percentage have both gone up this season - an indication that he has yet to achieve the peak of his potential.
After Bryant rides the sunset, Thompson could easily fill in his shoes and become the man anchoring the scoring duties in the Lakers and become an even better overall player as he learns from the Black Mamba.
Next week on July 1, when the 2014 NBA free agency officially starts, the Lakers will only have three players with guaranteed contracts next season - Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Robert Sacre, although their are reports that the Lakers are moving Steve Nash's contract to achieve salary cap flexibility. Point Guard Kendall Marshall, on the other hand, has only a year left on a non-guaranteed contract.
But the big question here is if the Lakers are really sure on dealing away their 7th pick given that they can land a potential superstar with the likes of Marcus Smart and Julius Randle? A No.7 pick in this years draft which is loaded with talent could easily give the Lakers a future star of their own.
But it would make sense for the Lakers to do just that, given that an NBA player on the rise and a proven competitor like Thompson would offer instant and guaranteed benefit than a rookie who still has to make his way in the NBA. What the Lakers will do with their prized pick we shall have to see on Thursday when the NBA draft starts and the rumored trades become reality or simply just rumors.
Join the Conversation