Shaq Says Lakers Should Make Klay Thompson Highest-Paid Player in Franchise History
By Daniel Lubofsky
The Los Angeles Lakers' free agency plans have long been linked to Klay Thompson, who grew up in Southern California with a dad who played for the purple and gold.
LA's front office will pull out all the stops in trying to lure Klay away from the Golden State Warriors. If it were up to Shaquille O'Neal, he'd make Thompson the highest-paid Laker ever. Per USA Today:
"Klay, your contract is coming up. KD’s contract is coming up. Lots of guys’ contracts are coming up. They can’t pay you what we can pay you. You will be the highest-paid Laker in Laker history."
Shaq’s advice for Lakers: I would make Klay Thompson the highest-paid player in team history https://t.co/o4Db7p4Xl2
— Sportando (@Sportando) June 5, 2019
The idea seems simple enough, but it doesn't appear the Lakers legend understands how today's NBA contracts work.
The Warriors can offer Thompson the biggest contract of all, a five-year deal worth around $190 million. LA's max offer would be for 4-years at roughly $150 million and fall short of the figure held by LeBron James as the highest on the team.
Klay Thompson on the court testing his hamstring pic.twitter.com/UlsQD9OKWm
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 4, 2019
Should Klay join the Lakers, it wouldn't be for the money.