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Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
One NBA scout is not a fan of the moves the Los Angeles Lakers made this summer. However, they claim there is a multi-time All-Star who can help make up for a lot of the potential problems they could face next season.
The Lakers have been busy this offseason. Yes, the biggest story this offseason was LeBron James informing the franchise that he was taking his talents elsewhere, but the team made a variety of moves to shore up their future.
They gave fan-favorite Austin Reaves a huge four-year, $180 million extension. Then handed Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler a massive four-year, $129 million contract in a sign-and-trade. The team also improved their depth with the signings of Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, and Matisse Thybulle.
On paper, it seems like LA had a good offseason as they rounded out their roster. However, an NBA scout wasn’t complimentary of the Lakers’ moves in a conversation with Heavy’s Sean Deveney.
“The Lakers, they signed a bunch of guys, but they’ve all got flaws. They get hurt, they can’t shoot, whatever it may be.”
– NBA scout
Can Klay Thompson fix potential problems for the Los Angeles Lakers?
That certainly is a worrisome assessment of the players the Lakers added to the roster this summer. And because the scout believes multiple issues may be created by the signings, it seems like LA is stuck in this new predicament. However, that same scout thinks there is one player who could address some of those potential issues: Future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson.
“Klay gives them that security blanket on the wing. He is not the defender he was once, but he is fine. And he can shoot. With the passers they have, that’s what they should be doing. And you could give Dallas Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht–short contracts, tradeable guys.”
– NBA scout
Thompson has been linked to the Lakers over the last couple of months as a potential trade acquisition. The Dallas Mavericks would prefer to ship out the 5-time All-Star and get players in return instead of buying out the $17 million left on the final year of his contract. However, as of now, it seems like they are not overjoyed with what LA is currently offering.