The veteran guard continues suggesting interest in a move out of Dallas, just as he's receiving interest in the trade market.
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson remains at the center of offseason uncertainty with rumors circulating of the team's interest in trading or buying out the veteran sharpshooter.
While Thompson took on an unfamiliar role in his future Hall of Fame career last year - coming off the bench for Dallas and working his way out of a shooting slump to still hit over 38 percent from 3-point range - he remains a piece that brings value, both in leadership and perimeter shooting.
The Mavs hope a younger figure, such as Max Christie, can emerge as a more reliable piece as the team transitions into the Cooper Flagg-led era to prioritize a sustained core, but that process could mean Dallas prefers to hold onto Thompson until the trade deadline to see how the roster develops under new coach Dusty May.
However, that plan appears to go against the Thompson family preference as rumors stir about the Los Angeles Lakers' interest in adding wing depth.
Klay's father, Mychal Thompson, a former No. 1 overall pick of the Trail Blazers, landed with the Lakers for the back half of his career and is currently a color commentator for the team. He took to social media to push for his son's potential move back to California by replying under a post about Klay's future.
"I'm TRYING...," Mychal Thompson wrote, suggesting that he's heard and endorses a potential Lakers union.
Klay has also joined in sharing cryptic messages online.
Thompson wrote on his Instagram story in reaction to a fan-generated clip of him wearing a Lakers uniform, saying, "What my dreams look like on a consistent basis."
The four-time champ could, of course, be speaking jokingly about the mystical nature of his playing alongside his father's former teammates, like legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.
But the constant speculation this offseason could also be taking a toll on him, likely pushing him to imagine life elsewhere.
Dallas has kept its offseason agenda close to the chest as it has executed many roster changes. Shooting guard depth, however, remains slim and would allow Thompson to have a place in the rotation if he is retained.
Of teams he could end up on, the Lakers are surely the most enticing. Thompson first signed with the Mavs to play with the playmaking facilitator Luka Doncic. That opportunity, of course, presents itself in LA. The Miami Heat have also probed about adding Thompson to bolster its perimeter shooting.
Thompson was hesitant to speak about his future in Dallas at the end of last season, and as the offseason unfolds, he's gotten louder and louder about a potential change of scenery.
Time will tell when, where, or if his "dream" comes true.
