In 2024, Klay Thompson passed on the Los Angeles Lakers to team up with Luka Doncic in Dallas. That partnership lasted just 21 games before the Slovenian’s departure. However, a report now suggests Thompson could finally be headed to the Purple and Gold. The possibility has former Lakers champ Ron Artest excited.

“Wow if this is true,” Artest tweeted. “I need the klay laker jersey.”

Artest, for one, is already thinking ahead. However, reports linking Thompson, who is entering the final year of his three-year Dallas deal, to the Lakers could totally change the equation for his career.

“My understanding is that Thompson would welcome a return to Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and still owns a home,” according to Christian Clark of The Athletic. “The Miami Heat are another team frequently mentioned in NBA circles as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer.”

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Miami can certainly use Thompson’s perimeter shooting to complement Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo. But they can only offer him a mid-level exception, so for the sake of the LA argument, let’s keep the Heat aside for now.

Although Thompson shot a career-low 38.3% from beyond the arc last year, he still averaged more than seven 3-point attempts per game, a testament to the respect he commands as one of the league’s premier shooters. His gravity as a floor spacer would fit seamlessly alongside Doncic and add another dangerous dimension to the Lakers’ offense.

Crucially, the 36-year-old also has deep ties to the Lakers. His father, Mychal Thompson, won two championships with the franchise and remains involved as the team’s radio color commentator. Despite those family connections, Klay chose Dallas over LA in free agency in 2024 to play alongside Doncic.

“Doncic sent me a message saying how excited he is, and I sent him the same message back, and I think there’s definitely mutual respect there,” Thompson said to reporters during his introductory press conference with the Mavericks.

“I remember seeing him at the end of the Western Conference finals in 2022, and I told him how much I loved his game and how he really elevates his teammates, and the sky is the limit for his skill.”

Now, circumstances have shifted, and Thompson could finally have the opportunity to honor his father’s legacy by wearing Purple and Gold while fulfilling his longtime wish to share the court with Doncic again.

Currently, the Mavericks have 16 players on their roster, meaning a departure will be necessary before the regular season. They’ve signed Naji Marshall to a three-year, $52.2 million extension. It leaves Thompson and PJ Washington’s future in Dallas uncertain.

Klay will earn $17.5 million this season (final year) while Washington makes $19.8 million. We’re intentionally clubbing both players because they would make a strong trade package. In return, the Lakers could be open to shipping Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden Hardy, Jake LaRavia, and/or Dalton Knecht.

The LA front office has already tried to move Vanderbilt, most recently in a sign-and-trade deal for Jonathan Kuminga. While that didn’t pan out, the Lakers and Mavericks have “had advanced discussions involving P.J. Washington,” according to league insider Marc Jacobs.

The report also added that no deal was imminent yet. But the Lakers remain hellbent to add more “key pieces” to their new Doncic-led roster. Klay, even at 36, surely makes for a good roster addition if clubbed with Washington.

Not too long ago, Jacobs re-cited a report from The Athletic that Klay and the Mavericks are nearing a buyout agreement, following which he is “expected” to don Purple and Gold. Notably, this update dropped after Dallas was rumored to be actively looking to trade the sharpshooter.

All in all, regardless of whether it’s a buyout or a trade, Klay doesn’t appear to be in the revamped Mavericks leadership team’s plans anymore.

There’s a strong caveat to this, though (for LA).

After Klay’s ACL and Achilles injuries with the Warriors, he isn’t the same agile player anymore. The sharpshooter’s lateral quickness has taken the steepest dip, and he can no longer lockdown the perimeter as he used to.

For a Lakers’ side who’d want someone who can contribute efficiently on defense, JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka will need to make a decision here. According to recent months, though, it appears someone else (not the front office) is calling the shots in LA.

How does Luka Doncic feel about Klay Thompson?

Back in May, Rob Pelinka openly spoke about how the Lakers wanted to build “the archetype of the roster” that is “retrofitted” around Luka Doncic and the “things he needs.” So, it doesn’t take a lot to deduce that for Klay to join the LA team, the Slovenian’s stamp of approval would be necessary.

The last time Doncic spoke about the sharpshooter was when he signed for the Mavericks in 2024.

“Unbelievable,” Doncic shared his initial reaction to the trade. “He’s a four-time NBA champion, and he’s an amazing player, so I was very excited that he signed with us, and I can’t wait to play with him.”

There’s been no dialogue about Thompson ever since. However, there has also not been anything to suggest that Doncic’s motivation to share the court with Klay has altered.

Here’s a hypothetical lineup if Klay joins the Lakers.

Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Klay Thompson, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Walker Kessler.