The Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out in the first round of the NBA Playoffs this past season, marking the third time in four years the team failed to even reach the second round of the playoffs. It led to a relatively quiet offseason with little turnover of the Lakers roster after the club missed out on signing Klay Thompson.
There were plenty of NBA rumors during the summer linking Thompson to the Lakers. He was born in Los Angeles and his father, Mychal Thompson, played for the franchise (1987-1991) and now serves as the team’s radio color commentator.
- Klay Thompson stats (ESPN): 13.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 41.8% FG, 35.4$ 3PT
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The 34-year-old seemed like a perfect addition for Los Angeles. He would provide much-needed perimeter shooting for a team that finished last season with the third-fewest three-point attempts per game (31.4). However, he turned down the Lakers’ offer to join the Dallas Mavericks.
Speaking to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Thompson explained why he chose to sign with the Mavericks instead of returning home to play for the Lakers.
Klay Thompson Reveals Why He Didn’t Sign with the Los Angeles Lakers
“Thompson chose the Mavericks over the Los Angeles Lakers, who also recruited him in free agency, because he believed Dallas provided him the best chance to pursue a fifth championship ring. He believed he could be the missing player after the Mavs, fresh off their five-game NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, promised him a starting spot.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on why Klay Thompson chose the Dallas Mavericks over the Lakers
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Thompson is already loving life in Dallas, sharing that he feels the love from both the organization and fan base. Just as importantly, the Mavericks make him feel valued and his new situation both makes him feel more ‘free’ and like he can prove he’s still a great player.
- Klay Thompson contract (Spotrac): $15.873 million salary in 2024-’25, $16.66 million salary in 2025-’26, $17.46 million salary in 2026-’27
Without Thompson, the Lakers are attempting the fifth-fewest threes (32.8) per game and they are shooting just 35.4 percent on three-point attempts this season. As for the Mavericks, they enter play on Tuesday attempting 36.5 threes per game and are making 34.8 percent of their attempts.