The Los Angeles Lakers went all-in when they acquired Luka Dončić in a blockbuster February 2025 trade, pairing the generational talent with an aging LeBron James to construct an immediate championship window.
As 41-year-old James is forced to bear the offensive burden in the absence of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in the playoffs, it’s pretty clear that Los Angeles needs more reliable floor spacing.
Lakers Predicted to Reunite Luka Dončić With Klay Thompson
A trade prediction from Dallas Hoops Journal suggests Los Angeles should reunite Dončić with his former teammate Klay Thompson, who could be the “ideal fit” for a roster desperate to maximize its high-usage stars.
The two played 21 games together on the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of the 2024-25 season.
James Piercey floated the Lakers as a landing spot for Thompson as he enters the final year of the three-year, $50 million contract he signed with the Mavericks back in the summer of 2024.
“If Thompson wanted to play with Dončić, it isn’t too late,” Piercey noted.
In a challenging 2025-26 campaign in Dallas, the Mavericks leaned heavily on Cooper Flagg’s production and moved Thompson to a bench role.
Regardless of the off-court drama plaguing him in the past few weeks, Thompson has shown that he still possesses a good shooting stroke. In 69 appearances this season, he averaged 11.7 points in just 21.7 minutes per game.
“Let it be said that he’s still an ideal fit alongside a high-usage playmaker,” Piercey went on to suggest. “Thompson hit 38.3% of his triples this season. That’s a strong number, but it doesn’t fully reflect his three-point gravity. Opposing defenses know they have to scramble to cover Thompson’s shots.”
Thompson’s addition can help lift the pressure currently affecting Los Angeles’ primary ball-handlers (i.e., James) and help avoid the turnover issues that have hurt them in the postseason.
“If the Los Angeles Lakers intend to keep Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, Thompson’s presence would allow them to stagger their star playmakers.”
Piercey also believes that the looming uncertainty surrounding James’ future, whether he decides to walk away or finish his career elsewhere this offseason, provides more impetus to bring someone like Thompson.
“If James is walking, Thompson could even start alongside the two remaining stars. In either case, a sharpshooter like Thompson would be a quality addition to the team that ultimately landed Dončić.”
As the Lakers look to close out their first-round series against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, a possible offseason Thompson trade is among the many enticing roster moves that could help the Lakers shape their championship team for next season.
