Lakers, Warriors Top Trade, NBA Free-Agent Targets amid Klay Thompson, Mavs Rumors

Klay Thompson agreed to sign with the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year contract worth $50 million on Monday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski noted that Thompson was also in “serious talks” with the Los Angeles Lakers, although he ultimately chose to join Dallas.

The veteran shooting guard’s exit from the Golden State Warriors wasn’t a major shock, as Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported on Saturday that the team was “preparing to lose” Thompson in free agency. Still, it’ll be surprising to see him wearing a new jersey after spending his entire career with Golden State since he was drafted by the organization in 2011.

As the Lakers pivot towards other free agents and the Warriors look to replace Thompson, here are three potential targets for each team.

DeMar DeRozan (Free Agency/Sign-And-Trade)

After LeBron James declined his $51.4 million player option, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the four-time MVP would be willing to sign a below-max deal with the Lakers in order to open up the full $12.9 million mid-level exception for an “impact player.”

DeRozan could be an option, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed that the former Chicago Bull is among the players that James would consider taking a pay cut to play with.

While the veteran wing could receive better offers, the opportunity to play alongside James and Anthony Davis on a postseason contender in Los Angeles may be too good to pass up on. DeRozan, who’ll be 35 years old at the beginning of his 2024-25 campaign, has made the playoffs just once in the past five seasons.

He’s still an effective scorer inside the arc, averaging 24.0 points and 5.3 assists per game on 48.0/33.3/85.3 shooting splits last season with the Bulls.

Jerami Grant (Trade)

While he doesn’t have a laundry list of accolades like Thompson does, Grant could be an enticing option for Los Angeles as a two-way forward with 35 games of playoff experience under his belt.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on June 24 that the 30-year-old is “on the Lakers’ wishlist.” With the Portland Trail Blazers already looking to build around a young core that includes players such as Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, there may be even less minutes available for Grant following Portland’s trade for Deni Avdija on June 26.

His fit on the Lakers is more clear-cut, as he can slide in between James and Davis in Los Angeles’ frontcourt. Grant has averaged over 20 points per game and shot over 40 percent from three in each of the past two seasons while owning career averages of 1.0 blocks and 0.7 steals each night.

Brook Lopez (Trade)

Fischer reported on Sunday that the Lakers “have an eye on” trading for Lopez, as the veteran center is set to enter the final year of his current contract.

The potential acquisition of Lopez would add a unique element to the Lakers’ offense under new head coach JJ Redick, opening up the floor and giving James and Davis more space in the paint. Over the past two seasons with Milwaukee, he’s connected on 37.0 percent of his 4.9 three-point attempts per game.

The 36-year-old has been with the team before, appearing in 74 games with Los Angeles during the 2017-18 season. If general manager Rob Pelinka is looking for a stretch five, a reunion with Lopez may be his best option.

Lauri Markkanen (Trade)

After losing Thompson, the Warriors could add another high-volume shooter by trading for the Utah Jazz star. Windhorst reported on Monday that Golden State has been “investigating” the feasibility of adding Markkanen.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. would undoubtedly need to give up several important assets in order to acquire the 27-year-old, although he may still pull the trigger on a deal and attempt to chase another championship with Stephen Curry.

Markkanen’s on-court impact is undeniable, as he blossomed into an All-Star after he joined the Jazz in a 2022 trade. Last season, he averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds to go along with a career-high 2.0 assists per contest. Markkanen also connected on 3.1 catch-and-shoot threes per game, the highest mark in the association (via NBA.com). Thompson ranked No. 3.

Zach LaVine (Trade)

If Golden State is searching for a new starting shooting guard to replace Thompson, LaVine could become the team’s top priority. The Bulls guard still has three years left on his current deal, which includes a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

Given his exorbitant contract, the Warriors wouldn’t need to give up as much to acquire LaVine. In fact, Fischer reported on Sunday that Golden State receiving draft compensation in a LaVine deal is an option for the team.

While the 29-year-old struggled to stay on the court with Chicago last season, he’s still proven to be an athletic three-level scorer when healthy. LaVine appeared in 77 contests during his 2022-23 campaign, recording 24.8 points per game on 48.5/37.5/84.8 splits.

Gary Trent Jr. (Free Agency)

Although his scoring average dipped during the 2023-24 season, Gary Trent Jr. could replace Thompson as a cheaper option in the Warriors’ rotation. Trent has shown that he can stay consistent from behind the arc, as he’s never shot below 36 percent from three over the course of a full year since his rookie season.

His return to the Toronto Raptors could also be a bit less likely following Immanuel Quickley’s five-year, $175 million contract.

Trent’s not a lockdown defender by any means, but his shooting ability can offset his defensive limitations when playing alongside Curry. At 25 years old, his best basketball may also still be ahead of him.

Since the start of the 2020-21 season, Trent has connected on 38.3 percent of his 7.1 long-range attempts per game.