David Thompson's Post-Winning Time Season 2: Unveiling the Truth Behind Lakers' Trade Speculations

Summary

Winning Time season 2 explores the Lakers' potential interest in trading for David Thompson during the 1980-81 season, which was one of his best NBA seasons.

Despite Thompson's impressive statistics, coach Paul Westhead decided to veto the trade due to concerns that Thompson's ego would negatively affect the team's chemistry. Thompson experienced a decline in his career after being traded to the Seattle Supersonics, as he dealt with drug addiction, a knee injury, and various legal problems. However, he was able to turn his life around during his retirement.

In season 2 of HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, the 1980-81 Showtime Lakers face numerous challenges both on and off the basketball court. One such challenge arises when former NBA star David Thompson becomes a potential trade target for the team. Tensions emerge behind the scenes, leading to disagreements between teammates Magic Johnson and Norm Nixon, as well as between General Manager Jerry West and Head Coach Paul Westhead. In episode 2 of season 2, the disagreements between West and Westhead escalate to a heated argument regarding the possibility of acquiring Thompson. With Magic injured, West sees Thompson as an opportunity to boost the struggling offense, but Westhead opposes the trade, worried about adding another dominant personality to the team. Unfortunately, the trade falls through as a result of Westhead's concerns.

David Thompson Had A Great 1980-81 NBA Season

The Lakers had a strong interest in acquiring Thompson during the 1980-81 season, which turned out to be one of the best seasons of his career. Thompson, who was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 1975, had high expectations placed on him due to his impressive college career at North Carolina State.

In the 1980-81 season, Thompson was a crucial player, participating in nearly every game and averaging 34 minutes, 25.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His shooting efficiency was remarkable, with a career average of around 50% from the field, meaning he made about as many shots as he missed. However, despite Thompson's incredible talent, Paul Westhead rejected the idea of bringing him to the Lakers. This decision was made to assert his authority over the team and uphold his unique offensive system.

Thompson Was Traded To The Seattle Supersonics In 1982

Throughout his career, Thompson never made his way to the Los Angeles Lakers through a trade. However, in 1982, he was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Seattle Supersonics. After an outstanding 1980-81 season with the Nuggets, Thompson's remarkable performance began to decline, leading to one of the weakest seasons in his career. In the 1981-82 season, Thompson's statistics plummeted to merely 20.4 minutes, 14.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in 61 games. The disappointing decline in Thompson's impact on the basketball court served as the primary reason behind his trade to another team in the following season.

Thompson Made The NBA All-Star Game In 1983

Thompson's magnificent return took place in the 1982-83 season, marking his eighth year with the Seattle Supersonics. The franchise, which later transformed into the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008, had high expectations for Thompson's impact, aiming for a remarkable playoff journey. However, their plans faced disappointment.

Thompson’s Drug Addiction & Knee Injury Ended His NBA Career

Thompson had a relatively modest season despite becoming an NBA All-Star in 1983, with an average of 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists over 75 games. In his final postseason appearance that year, Thompson only managed to average 12 points per game in a two-game series loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Following Thompson's debut season with the Sonics, he was sidelined for a considerable portion of the 1983-84 NBA campaign due to his attendance at a drug rehabilitation program. As a consequence of his struggles with substance abuse, Thompson could only participate in the final nineteen games of that season, effectively marking the conclusion of his professional basketball career. Throughout his life, both on and off the court, Thompson grappled with substance abuse concerns that led to numerous encounters with the legal system.

Thompson, notorious for his extensive cocaine use, injured his knee during a fight outside New York City's renowned Studio 54 nightclub. The combination of his knee injury and regular drug abuse forced him to sit out the entire 1984-85 season, despite attempting to join the Indiana Pacers. In 1987, Thompson received a 180-day prison sentence for assaulting his wife, but has since transformed his life through his religious foundations. Actor Tor'i Brooks will portray the former NBA superstar in four episodes of Winning Time.