Rumor: Lakers to offer full-max to Klay Thompson if he becomes a FA

[wolfpaclaker]

Yes and in the Lakers history - as hard as it has been - they have won championships paying those top players. Shaq/Kobe. Kobe/Gasol. Magic/Kareem.

The Lakers made a great trade in 2008 that brought them a 2nd max player in Gasol. IIRC Gasol was making 16-17 M a year at the time. Memphis was wary of his salary in part. We were willing to make the deal. It turned out great.

I am just a bit less eager to blow mega dollars of capspace on players who I think will be 3rd or 4th best types on a ring team. I feel the Lakers have 2 pressing needs. 1) A low post Center or impact big guy. 2) A #1 option to replace Kobe. Arguably Thompson could be that third critical piece which is a #2 option (although I'm not sure he's a championship #2). Ideally he'd be your 3rd option. If we had some of the key pieces in place, no problem in paying Klay. As is? I don't quite get the eagerness.

In contrast, GST is in position to pay. They have some core pieces. Curry is their #1. They had Lee/Bogut as bigs. They've got quite a lot to trade in those bigs, Harrison Barnes and Iggy.Basically if the Lakers were in their position, I'd be more than okay with seeing Klay get a big contract. GST can pay Klay 15+ M and still make trades or what not to become a contender eventually. With the Lakers OTOH, assuming they also have to sign a Center/Impact Big, and find a #1 option, I'm not sure we could pull it off.

[yinoma2001]

Wolf, with the likely increase of the salary cap due to TV deals, Klay's contract will be slightly more than Odom's (from a salary cap standpoint) in 2016 and beyond. I think he's worth an Odom slot.

I think folks get to emotionally tied to the "max" language when compared to true non-rookie max contracts, it's a good deal.

I don't see a #1 option next year, and we will need to get lucky to get a low post threat via free agency. I think the lesson from free agency is that players want: 1) to get paid; 2) play on teams with established foundations.

We lack #2 and it makes it hard for players to cough up some $ to come here.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[Dave20]

SG's are a dime a dozen, it's been the easiest position to find in the league. Harden and Derozan are the only SG's worth max money because they can do more then just shoot. Harden can drive and is a great playmaker. Derozan is super athletic, can drive and pass. Max money should be for C's and superstars, not spot up shooters. Klay is one of the best shooters, but his game doesn't offer anything else.

[-Showtime-]

Really good player but not worth the max.

[yinoma2001]

Again, don't get caught up with the "MAX" tag.

There are three max categories: rookie max (Hayward), and basically the post-rookie max contract (George), and the max contract after that (Kobe). There are a few wrinkles in the CBA depending on # of all-star games and all-NBA teams.

But the rookie max really isn't that devastating on the cap, especially considering the possibility of the cap going from mid-60s to possibly low 90s in a few years. Klay's rookie "max" will feel like 11-13m (depending on the annual cap raises) in a few years. He's EASILY worth that. That's Lamar Odom range from a cap standpoint and Klay as a 2 way player who is lights out as a shooter is worth that.

So again, when you get hung up on "max," remember, it's a rookie max that will be diluted by the TV deal salary cap bump. It's actually a great time to max out guys IMO.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[ch3cky0selff00]

I wonder how effective Klay Thompson would be without a Stephen Curry handling the ball who attracts as much attention and gets into the paint as easy as he does.

[yinoma2001]

[venturalakersfan]

[yinoma2001]

[22]

I'm with yinomes on this one. People are getting too caught up in the term 'Max". His max is less than other max contracts and he is absolutely worth it when you consider the salary cap will be increasing.

The Lakers can't keep looking to hit a home run every time. They need to get some singles to load the bases and set things up for a grand slam. Having a player like KT on the roster will attract other FAs/stars

[yinoma2001]

[zoogz]

[22]

[yinoma2001]

[Fruscas]

[K0BEE 2.0]

[venturalakersfan]

[Bard207]

[dmorans1]

[LakerLand247]

I hate to break it to you guys. Even if you just add Klay Thompson to our current roster without having to give anything up; we would still have a hard time making the playoffs. Klay is the ideal 3rd superstar on a contender.

I'd rather spend my cap space maxing out a "Big" (Roy Hibbert).

[Lakers_Jester]

Things will be interesting if klay doesn't get the offer (max) he's seeking. Another guy whom might not get the offer (max) he's seeking is kawhi leonard, seeing as how the last guy sas has maxed out has been duncan. The SAS just rarely max out their players.

[USCandLakers]

[Nightwalker]

[Lakers_Jester]

I consider klay as new school ray allen. Demeanor, shot, etc. They have differences but that's my comparison. Prime allen did more than just shoot btw.

While we're at it anthony davis game reminds me a ton of a new school duncan. Kawhi pippen?

[RI Laker]

Everyone is forgetting his age and the fact that he is a two way player. We would be LUCKY to sign him for any amount of $.