The Miami Heat may be waiting for Klay Thompson to wiggle free from the Dallas Mavericks to solidify their supporting cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Of course, there's only one thing the Heat may not have accounted for.
The threat of a rival team emerging as a threat to sign Thompson instead.
And, according to Mavs reporter Christian Clark, that might be exactly what's about to happen. Clark notes that while Thompson's future remains uncertain in Dallas, the Los Angeles Lakers could lure the All-Star wing back West.
Theoretically speaking, it's a potential scenario that makes a ton of sense.
Why the Lakers could ruin the Heat's dream of luring Klay Thompson
A few years ago, Thompson decided to leave the Golden State Warriors, at least in part to play alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas. Sure, there were likely other reasons for the move, but you'd have to imagine that Luka's presence in Dallas did play a big role in signing with the Mavs.
With a similar decision potentially about to hit his table, Los Angeles could give him a similar option. Not only would Thompson be able to play alongside Luka again with the Lakers, but he'd also be back on the West Coast, where he spent the first 11 years of his career.
Let's also not forget that Thompson was also born in California, where he spent most of his young life before he went to Washington to play college ball.
If there's any interest in making a move back to where it all started for him, the Lakers would make a ton of sense on paper.
Why the Heat could still win the Klay Thompson sweepstakes
Of course, the Heat could offer benefits of their own too. The no-state tax could certainly be a factor in Thompson's decision if he were to get bought out, especially considering he'd likely have to shave off a few million from his bottom line for this season.
The Heat would also have more to offer Thompson in guaranteed money this season than the Lakers. Of course, that's assuming Miami would be willing to give him the remainder of the mid-level exception. That equates to roughly $8 million for this year.
Then, there's the basketball part of it all. The Lakers may have Luka, but the Heat are in the "easier" conference and have Giannis and Bam. On paper, Thompson is an excellent fit with what the Heat have built this season.
Thompson would fit on any team, including the Lakers, but he is exactly what the Heat needs. And that "bigger" role may also help push Thompson in one direction or another if it came to it.
The Heat and Thompson make a lot of sense for each other, but keep an eye on the Lakers as a potential second suitor that could blow this dream up for Miami.
Add us as a preferred source on Google