Klay Thompson declined to join the Lakers because he believed it would be similar to his experience with the Warriors.
Despite LeBron James’ recruiting attempts, Klay Thompson sought to avoid repeating his previous season with the Warriors by joining the Lakers.
Klay Thompson inked a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, ending his 13-year career with the Golden State Warriors. According to Ramona Shelbourne, Klay was heavily pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers, but the four-time champion refused to join his hometown team with LeBron James for fear of being treated as poorly as he was in his final year with the Warriors.
“James had several deep conversations with Thompson about the idea of playing together,” sources stated. However, something about playing for the Lakers felt too similar to playing for the Warriors. According to a person close to him, “Would this be trading one fishbowl for another?”
Klay bore the bulk of the responsibility for the Warriors’ failure to advance to the playoffs last season. The scapegoating and lack of respect from the Warriors organization internally resulted in Klay experiencing a’miserable’ season, something he hopes to avoid in his next chapter.
Like it or not, playing for the Lakers brings just as much attention as playing for the Warriors, if not more. The organization and fans have a history of quickly turning on underperforming players, something Klay is likely to avoid.
The Mavericks appear to be a superior option because they are led by Luka Doncic, a superstar in his prime. Kyrie Irving is the second offensive option, leaving Klay in a third-option role with an emphasis on his shooting. Last season, he averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Kyrie Irving sold Klay Thompson on the family side of the Mavericks.
Kyrie Irving joined the Mavericks after a disastrous stretch in which he was blamed for dismantling the Brooklyn Nets superteam. While there were several things to blame, Irving was the principal perpetrator and was vilified in the media.
Irving rebuilt his career with the Mavericks, playing a fantastic season as Doncic’s second option as the club advanced to the NBA Finals. The Mavs organization, managed by Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd, provided Kyrie with personal stability, which was critical to his success. Irving recruited Klay solely on this basis, without even discussing basketball with him over dinner.
The dimmer focus in Dallas would allow Thompson to rebuild his career in the same way that Irving did without constant media pressure. The Warriors and Lakers are arguably the two most talked-about teams in the media, so joining the Mavericks will provide him with more chance to improve.
The money became secondary for Klay, who turned down a larger extension with the Warriors last season and a $80 million contract with the Lakers in order to focus on winning a championship with the Mavericks.
“Money played a lesser role in his Mavericks decision. Thompson, well aware that the $43 million he made with Golden State last season would not buy him happiness, selected Dallas mostly because it represented his greatest chance to win a fifth championship.”
Given their recent moves, the Mavericks will enter next season as pre-season title candidates. Hopefully, the franchise’s great momentum can help Klay regain his form and be a key piece in a future title run.
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