Is Klay Thompson the future Lakers third superstar? NBA insider sparks rumors

ESPN's Kendrick Perkins revealed that a third superstar it's on his way this summer to the Los Angeles Lakers, even when he didn't give the name away as he said it himself that he isn't an NBA insider but an analyst so that's not his job.

Many fans and NBA media analysts believe that the third superstar Perkins refers to could be one of the rumored three main targets for Lakers GM Rob Pelinka in the upcoming summer, Trae Young, Kyrie Irving, and Donovan Mitchell.

But NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic has given a new name that could be shocking if becomes true, the Warriors superstar Klay Thompson who is having a nightmarish season at Golden State.

The Warriors have opted not to show commitment to Klay by giving him a contract extension, instead allowing him to hit free agency this summer. And when he does, he should have plenty of interest, including from the Lakers, according to Charania.

“From everything I’ve been told, Klay Thompson, this has been a stressful year for Klay Thompson. He’s been going through it at different points and I think he’s doing the best he can to get through it. But he’s set to be a free agent at the end of the season. From everything I’ve been told, I expect him to test the marketplace, I would expect both Florida teams, I would expect both L.A. teams, I would expect potentially a couple of East Coast teams to have interest in Klay Thompson. As of right now, unless there’s a miracle extension, he’s gonna test the marketplace and I think the Warriors have understood going into the year after they didn’t extend him that his future is up in the air just for the simple fact that he’s gonna be going into free agency.”

The Warriors wanted to make a trade for LeBron at the NBA's deadline

The Warriors went for a bold strategy at the NBA trade deadline by calling the Lakers and asking if LeBron James was available to pair with Stephen Curry and Thompson. They were immediately rejected, but the Warriors felt it was worth it to at least ask.