Klay Will Make LeBron, Lakers Title Contenders Not Davis: Stephen A Smith

The Los Angeles Lakers signed LeBron James earlier in the summer after he became an unrestricted free agent after declining his player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was considered a major coup as there was no shortage of suitors for arguably one of the greatest players in NBA history.

The arrival of the small forward exponentially increased the Lakers’ chances of making the playoffs for the first time in five seasons in the upcoming campaign, but not too many believe that they will challenge the Golden State Warriors for the Western Conference title.

Immediately after James’ arrival in Los Angeles, the talk shifted, who will be the next big free agent to arrive to partner the three-time NBA champion and make the Lakers title contenders again. Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson have all been linked with moves to LA.

Leonard was the first to be linked with a trade move this summer, but the San Antonio Spurs forward was traded to the Toronto Raptors in the offseason – he could still join as a free agent next summer.

The Lakers have cap space of $38 million giving them a chance to sign any of the big free agents in 2019 that includes Durant, Thompson and Leonard. Meanwhile, Davis’ future at New Orleans Pelicans has come under doubt in recent weeks. The center, who was an MVP contender last season, is expected to leave his current employers sooner rather than later despite holding two-years plus a player option for the 2020-21 season.

And the Davis connection to the Lakers got stronger after he signed up with Klutch Sports, who also manage James. However, ESPN’s Stephen A Smith believes the Lakers will better off signing Thompson from the Warriors rather than the Pelicans star if they want to become genuine title contenders and topple the Stephen Curry-led Warriors’ dominance.

"Anthony Davis, even if he were to end up with LeBron in L.A., they still would lose to these Golden State Warriors," Smith said, on ESPN’s “First Take,” as quoted on 247 Sports.

“If Klay Thompson was on L.A. with LeBron, the Lakers would have a better chance of beating the Golden State Warriors, and I believe they would beat the Golden State Warriors, that means they still have Kevin Durant , Draymond Green and Stephen Curry,” he added.

“I believe they would have a better chance of beating Golden State than if Klay stayed on Golden State with the rest of the crew than if Anthony Davis joined LeBron James."

Thompson, however, will be difficult to convince as he has already stated on more than one occasion that he is keen to retire as a Warrior. It is going to take a tremendous offer for him to leave the team that drafted him and with whom he has won three NBA championship rings.