A Dallas buyout could allow Klay Thompson to reunite with Luka Dončić and finish his career near home.
The Los Angeles Lakers cannot trade for Klay Thompson without sacrificing important pieces or disrupting their revamped roster. If Thompson reaches a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks, however, L.A. would immediately become one of his most logical destinations.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that the Lakers, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors have interest in Thompson, but Los Angeles and Golden State would pursue him only if he became a free agent.
Feb 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guardKlayThompson(31) rebounds in front of Los AngelesLakersguard Austin Reaves (15) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesDallas has made Thompson available in trade talks as he enters the final season of his contract at $17.5 million. The Mavericks reportedly prefer to receive an asset for him rather than negotiate a buyout, leaving the Lakers dependent on a decision they cannot control.
Familiar connections in Los Angeles
Thompson has several personal and basketball connections to the Lakers.
The 36-year-old was born in Los Angeles, and his father, Mychal Thompson, won two championships with the Lakers before becoming the team’s longtime radio analyst. The Lakers also pursued Klay Thompson during his 2024 free agency before he joined the Mavericks.
Perhaps the strongest connection is Luka Dončić.
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guardKlayThompson(31) runs back up the court against the Los AngelesLakersduring the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesThompson went to Dallas in part because he believed Dončić could consistently generate open catch-and-shoot opportunities for him. That partnership lasted only several months before the Mavericks traded Dončić to the Lakers in February 2025.
Joining L.A. would allow Thompson to play beside Dončić again while competing for meaningful postseason minutes.
“I want to compete for a championship,” Thompson said during a recent Twitch livestream. “Not necessarily win another one, but have the chance to go and try and get another one.”
Thompson averaged 11.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 69 games last season while shooting 38.3% from 3-point range. His production has declined, but his shooting could still complement Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Lakers face financial and roster obstacles
The Lakers’ interest does not guarantee a deal.
Miami could offer Thompson part or all of its $8.9 million midlevel exception, according to ClutchPoints. Los Angeles could offer only a veteran minimum contract. The Lakers also have 16 players on standard contracts and must trim their roster to 15 before opening night.
That would require Thompson to prioritize fit, location and contention over money. L.A. also would need to decide which player to waive or trade to make room for him.
Thompson would not arrive as the star who helped Golden State win four championships. He would instead serve as a floor-spacing reserve whose playoff experience could help a roster featuring 11 new players.
Miami may hold the financial advantage, while Golden State can offer an emotional reunion with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Lakers, however, can offer Thompson a return home, a familiar connection with Dončić and a legitimate role on a contender.
None of it matters unless Dallas releases him. If that happens, L.A. will have a real opportunity to complete a pursuit that began two summers ago.
