Biggest reason Klay Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks is crystal clear

Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson / Ezra Shaw/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

The Dallas Mavericks made the biggest splash in free agency this past offseason. The team signed and traded for Golden State Warriors shooter Klay Thompson.

The signing significantly boosted the Mavs' roster as it gave them an extra shooter to counter their shooting woes from the NBA Finals. For example, the Mavericks lost Game 1 of the Finals 107-89. The biggest issue came from their shooting, as Dallas converted 25.9 percent of their 3-point attempts. Players like Kyrie Irving and P.J. Washington combined to go 0-8 from downtown.

Things dipped in Game 2, as Dallas shot 23.1 percent from long range. The Mavs' starters combined to go 5-20 from the 3-point line, as Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. converted zero of their attempts.

Klay Thompson joined the Mavericks to have the best shot at winning the Finals

The issue was clear. The Mavs need a sharpshooter to help them stabilize their offense. Thompson became the perfect answer. Last season, he shot 38.7 percent from beyond the arc. The Splash Bro also has a career 3-point average of 41.3 percent.

So, the reason as to why Thompson joined the Mavericks in free agency was simple. The Athletic reporter Shams Charania reported that other teams offered more money, but the Mavs offered something more intriguing.

" Klay Thompson had more on the table potentially from the Lakers, four years, 80 (million). Even last offseason he turned down two years 48 (million) I'm told from the Warriors. He believed the Dallas Mavericks have the best opportunity for him to win a championship than any team, the Warriors, the Lakers, that's why he chose Dallas. "

Shams Charania

Honestly, Thompson was right though. The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled in the postseason over the past three years. Lebron James and company missed the playoffs in 2022, were swept in the Conference Finals in 2023, and lost in the first round last season.

The Warriors on the other hand have digressed since winning the championship in 2022. They lost in the conference semi-finals in 2023 and missed the playoffs last season.

The Mavs however have made the Conference Finals twice over the past three years. The team also made the NBA Finals last postseason, as they were three wins away from winning it all. It's clear that Thompson joined the Mavs for his best shot at winning another title.

Dallas improved since their 2022 postseason run, adding key players such as Irving, Washington, and Daniel Gafford. Dallas also added youth by drafting Derrick Lively II last season and acquiring Quentin Grimes and Naji Marshall this year.

General Manager Nico Harrison believes adding Thompson was the missing piece though. He stated that the team was "a Klay Thompson away" from winning the title.

Assuming Harrison is right, then adding the Splash Brother might be the greatest free-agency move in franchise history. The team will now need to make Thompson's vision come true.

So, can the Mavs help Klay Thompson get his fifth ring?

For all the latest on Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.

manual