Lakers Sign Thompson, 19th Player in NBA Draft

Billy Thompson, the Lakers’ roundabout No. 1 draft pick, signed a multiyear contract with the team Thursday.

Thompson, a 6-foot 7-inch, 190-pound forward from the University of Louisville, was the 19th player selected in the NBA’s college draft in June, but he wasn’t picked by the Lakers.

Instead, he was chosen by the Atlanta Hawks. The Lakers, picking four spots down the line, made 6-10 Ken Barlow of Notre Dame the 23rd player selected.

Then, after the second round had been completed, the Lakers and Hawks swapped their first-round choices, the Lakers also getting the rights to Ron Kellogg, a 6-5 guard from Kansas who had been the Hawks’ second-round pick, and giving up veteran Mike McGee.

“We are delighted to have Billy signed and ready to play for us in the (Southern California Pro) Summer League,” said Jerry West, Laker general manager. “We feel he is a very talented player and hope he can help us this season.”

Thompson, who scored 12 points and pulled down 13 rebounds while playing 36 minutes in a 120-119 Laker loss to the NBA All-Stars in a Summer Pro League game at Loyola Marymount Thursday night, seemed happy that the contract negotiations were behind him.

“It feels so good now I know that I’m part of the team,” Thompson said. “Now all I have to do is concentrate on basketball. I’m not sitting home hearing how it might go this week and that I should be ready . . . Now I know where I’m going, it makes it easier.

“I wanted to get here and start playing. In rookie camp I played well and worked hard, but I was looking forward to getting back to the coaches and players. Now I’m here, so I’m happy.”