The Lakers may have a path to land one of the NBA’s all-time great shooters, and it comes tied to a three-team blockbuster that would also send Kevin Durant to Dallas.
That’s the framework Heavy.com’s Adel Ahmed laid out in a proposed deal involving the Lakers, Rockets and Mavericks. In Ahmed’s scenario, Los Angeles would get Klay Thompson, Dallas would bring in Durant, and Houston would collect P.J. Washington, Jarred Vanderbilt, Naji Marshall and two first-round picks.
Thompson has already surfaced as a possible trade name to watch. Blue Man Hoops’ Peter O’Keefe wrote that, “Thompson should be angling for a trade to a desirable destination rather than a buyout, albeit he holds less control in the former scenario. The complicated aspect is the 4x NBA champion is still set to make $17.5 million next season, and there might not be too many teams eager on him at that price point,”
Durant, meanwhile, has also been floated as a possible trade candidate in Houston. NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote, “Whether or not the Rockets look to continue their partnership with Durant is the big question at large, especially since they don't view him as an “untouchable” talent in trade talks on their roster. Houston viewed the opportunity to acquire Durant as a way to upgrade from Jalen Green and bridge the gaps in their lineup to contend in the West, but by no means was this addition viewed as a long-term commitment,”
Ahmed’s proposal would shuffle major names across the league in one swing. The Lakers would add Thompson without taking on a long-term financial commitment, the Mavericks would pair Durant with Kyrie Irving, and the Rockets would walk away with a package of players and draft capital to help reshape their future.
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