NBA Rumors: Will Klay Thompson Join The Lakers In 2019? Warriors Guard Touches On His FA Status

On the surface, it sure seems like Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson is a perfect fit for the Los Angeles Lakers.

He grew up in Southern California. His father, Mychal Thompson, played for the Lakers and won two championships with the organization and alongside current team president Magic Johnson. He used to play under former Warriors assistant and current Lakers head coach Luke Walton. The Lakers have the salary-cap space to sign him.

Oh, and Thompson would be joining a roster that has one of the greatest players of all-time: LeBron James.

But why would Thompson, who will be a free agent next summer, leave a good thing like the Warriors?

Golden State has won three of the last four NBA titles and look like the overwhelming favorites to win in 2018-19. He shares the court with greats like Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Draymond Green. The Warriors have a relaxed, low-maintenance head coach with a winning track record in Steve Kerr. Golden State also has the money to sign him to a max deal.

Thompson may not see the point of heading down Interstate 5 just for the sake of a change of scenery and a chance to play with James.

"It's crazy because we are back-to-back champs, but at the same time I feel like we're all relatively young and we can still get to another level and keep winning," Thompson told reporters after practice Thursday. "Not just this year, but years beyond. Not a lot of guys can do that with their team. So I love coming to work every day because I realize this is a special group and a special time to be a Warrior."

With many wondering where he might sign in the summer, the four-time All-Star seemed to reaffirm his commitment to the team that drafted him in 2011.

"It's hard to walk away from something. You were here when it started and, yeah, you just want to stay on the train as long as you can."

But the Warriors may not look the same in 2019-20. Durant is a free agent and he would be extremely difficult to replace. DeMarcus Cousins is also a free agent and key reserve Andre Iguodala, who has battled injuries, turns 35 in January.

It's been a poorly kept secret that the Lakers are rumored to have interest in Thompson. Perhaps some player movement in the Bay Area, along with some positive moves in Los Angeles, could be enough to tempt him into joining the Lakers.

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers, who need a shooter, would more than welcome Thompson if he wants to join the club.

“In terms of who [the Lakers] target next year, it’s whoever wants to come," Shelburne said on ESPN Radio earlier this month. "My feeling about it —my sense from just talking to people in and around this — [is that] one, it’s a little early, but I think they like Mychal’s boy. I think that would be the guy, in terms of skill set and how that would fit. Obviously Kawhi [Leonard], he’s a great player as well, but we’ll see if he stays in Toronto now. But I think they like [Thompson]."