Could Klay Thompson finally land with the Los Angeles Lakers two years after turning down the franchise? The veteran sharpshooter has reportedly been made available by the Dallas Mavericks and would welcome a move back to Los Angeles.
However, no trade is considered imminent and there has been no confirmation that the Lakers and Mavericks are engaged in advanced negotiations.
Mavericks Testing Trade Market For Thompson
The Mavericks have reportedly explored the possibility of trading Thompson as they prepare for the 2026-27 NBA season.
According to The Athletic’s Christian Clark, Dallas has shopped the 36-year-old but has so far been unable to find a suitable deal.
“Thompson would welcome a return to Los Angeles,” Clark reported, noting that the five-time All-Star spent part of his childhood in the city and still owns a home in the area.
Dallas currently has 16 players on standard contracts and must reduce that number to 15 before the regular season begins. Moving Thompson would solve that roster issue while clearing his $17.46 million salary from the Mavericks’ books.
Thompson is entering the final season of the three-year, $50 million contract he signed when joining Dallas through a multi-team sign-and-trade in 2024.
Lakers Could Reunite Thompson With Luka Doncic
A move to the Lakers would reunite Thompson with Luka Doncic, although the pair shared the court for only part of the 2024-25 season before Dallas completed its stunning trade with Los Angeles.
The Lakers have already transformed their roster around Doncic and could view Thompson as an experienced perimeter option capable of creating additional space for their superstar playmaker.
Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 69 appearances for Dallas last season. While those were career-low numbers, he still made 202 three-pointers at 38.3 per cent.
His ability to stretch defences remains valuable, particularly for a Lakers side looking to add another reliable catch-and-shoot threat.
Thompson Previously Rejected Lakers Move
Los Angeles aggressively pursued Thompson when he left the Golden State Warriors in 2024.
The Lakers reportedly discussed a four-year, $80 million arrangement with Thompson, but completing the deal would have required Golden State’s cooperation in a sign-and-trade. Thompson ultimately chose Dallas after the Mavericks had reached the 2024 NBA Finals.
That decision was made partly because Thompson expected to compete alongside Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The outlook in Dallas changed dramatically when the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis.
Thompson later acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future after Dallas finished the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record.
“I’m not sure. I’m under contract, so I do, but I’ve definitely learned in my time in Dallas that things can change on a dime,” Thompson said when asked whether he expected to return.
Lakers Trade Remains Speculative
Thompson’s willingness to return to Los Angeles makes the Lakers a logical destination, but it should not be mistaken for confirmation that a deal is close.
Dallas would need to find a return it considers worthwhile, while the Lakers must determine whether committing more than $17 million to an ageing specialist represents the best use of their available trade assets.
For now, the Mavericks are testing Thompson’s market and the four-time NBA champion appears open to joining the team he rejected two years ago.
