The
The deal would be part of a larger three-way trade that sends Minnesota All-Star power forward
Thompson, 24, averaged 18.4 points last season for the Warriors and became one of the league's most potent three-point shooters. He is under contract for $4.5 million next season before becoming a restricted free agent.
Thompson increased his scoring average by almost two points last season and improved his shooting percentage from 42.2% to 44.4%. He made 41.7% of his three-point attempts last season.
The Lakers are debating what to do with the pick if they hang onto it. They have sold or traded every first-round pick they’ve had since 2007 and do not have one next season because of the
They are pondering whether to go with a power forward or point guard. They have narrowed their focus to big men Aaron Gordon, Julius Randle and Noah Vonleh or point guards Dante Exum,
When free agency begins July 1, the Lakers will have only three players making guaranteed money next season —
A player on the rise such as Thompson would obviously provide more immediate return than an amateur player with no
The Lakers, though, are also interested to see if
He was a top-three pick for sure, and perhaps the top overall pick, before the surgery was announced. He has become prone to injury this year, missing the Jayhawks’ only two