Once it became evident that Klay Thompson’s time with the Golden State Warriors was drawing to a close, two teams immediately emerged as potential new homes for the five-time All-Star. Despite his heart potentially leaning towards a different team, Thompson made a prudent decision by choosing to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.
On July 1, Thompson finalized a three-year, $50 million deal with the Mavericks. This choice surprised some, especially considering that the Los Angeles Lakers had reportedly offered him a four-year, $80 million contract. Not only was the Lakers’ offer more financially rewarding and for a longer duration, but Thompson also had personal ties to the team. Growing up, he watched his father, Mychal Thompson, win two championships with the Lakers in the 1980s. Moreover, Mychal currently serves as the Lakers’ radio color commentator.
Instead of following his emotions, Klay opted to join the reigning Western Conference champions, who are determined to win their second NBA title. Mychal expressed his disappointment, saying, “I’m really disappointed. I was hoping — hoping, as you can assess — that he would be a Laker. It was close. It came down to the Lakers and Mavs, but the Mavs won out, but you know me, I was hoping and praying that he’d finish his career with the Lakers.”
While it was undoubtedly difficult for Klay to know he was disappointing his father, he made a strategic basketball move at this stage in his career. One of the best ways for a player to prove a team wrong for letting them go is to excel with another team. The Mavericks offer Klay the ideal opportunity to showcase his best skills and contribute significantly to their success.
Despite winning the Western Conference, the Mavericks’ weaknesses were exposed in the NBA Finals, especially in their three-point shooting, where they shot only 31.6%. This poor performance from beyond the arc was a significant factor in their loss to the Boston Celtics. Although Klay may not be at his peak, he can still provide a substantial boost to Dallas’s shooting capabilities.
Klay’s recent season saw him shooting 43.2% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range. While these numbers are slightly below his career averages, they surpass what the Mavericks managed in their most crucial games of the season. Klay is precisely the kind of player Dallas needs. Additionally, with a star like Luka Doncic attracting so much defensive attention, Klay is likely to get numerous open looks.
Turning down the Lakers, especially after a persuasive pitch from LeBron James, was no easy task. However, the Mavericks present Klay with an opportunity to be a vital piece on a contending team. If Klay’s goal is to position himself for success and chase a fifth NBA title, joining the Mavericks was the clear choice.
