Despite significant efforts, the Los Angeles Lakers lost out on Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks. The four-time NBA champion elected to join Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic fresh off an NBA Finals appearance.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on the behind-the-scenes of Thompson’s free agency and ultimately why the Lakers fell short.
“He had phone conversations with James and new Lakers coach JJ Redick that were all positive, league sources say, with Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka staying in touch with Lawrence, but the allure of the Lakers situation simply didn’t match what the Mavericks had to offer,” Amick wrote on July 3.
The Lakers finished last season with a 47-35 record. They employ a newly-signed LeBron James and arguably a top-15 player in his prime in Anthony Davis. Despite this, it wasn’t enough for Thompson, who likely saw an opportunity to help Dallas correct their 2023 NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics and add to his legacy.
Thompson ended up with the Mavericks via a three-year, $50 million deal and sign-and-trade with the Warriors. He is coming off his 12th NBA campaign, all with Golden State, where he averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
**Lakers Offered Thompson More Money Than the Mavericks**
Amid his reporting on the Lakers’ pursuit of Thompson, Amick added that their offer was higher than the Mavericks’.
“League sources say a Lakers deal would have been far more lucrative,” Amick added. “With discussions about a four-year, $80 million deal for Thompson if they had been able to convince the Warriors to cooperate in a sign-and-trade that would have sent D’Angelo Russell back to the Warriors (or to a third team).”
The disrespect Thompson felt from the Warriors in his final months with the team played a part in negotiations. Amick wrote that Dallas won him over by making him feel like their “priority.”
“They met him where he was, both figuratively and literally, respecting his four rings and making it clear that he was their top priority of the offseason,” Amick continued.
Thompson received calls from multiple members of the Lakers’ organization, including James and head of operations Rob Pelinka. But for whatever reason, he didn’t feel like they pulled out all the stops.
**Irving, Thompson Communicated Throughout Negotiations**
Another player who ended up in Dallas instead of Los Angeles played a part in Thompson’s decision.
Irving talked with the 34-year-old guard “routinely,” according to Amick.
“Thompson had talked on the phone and texted routinely with Irving, his old rival from those Warriors-Cavs finals matchups of yesteryear and an expert if ever there was one on the topic of rectifying a career amid a dimmer spotlight in Dallas,” Amick wrote.
The Mavericks’ point guard has revived his career playing second fiddle to Doncic. So his insight was no doubt valuable to Thompson, an aging star looking to do the same.
Factor in a starting job on one of the two teams that made last season’s NBA Finals with an organization full of people who helped Thompson feel at home, and there’s little mystery as to how the Lakers’ latest free-agent chase fell short.