10 Reasons the Dallas Mavericks aced the Klay Thompson sign-and-trade

7. The Mavericks found a way to beat out Lakers

Prior to joining the Mavs, one team that was rumored to be interested in signing Klay Thompson was the Lakers. LeBron James made a phone call to Thompson and was even willing to take a pay cut for Thompson before he joined Dallas. It would've made sense why he would sign with the Lakers.

Thompson was born in LA, and his father Mychal Thompson played for the Lakers. So, there could've been interest to play for a team his father played for.

Thompson also spent his whole life living on the West Coast as he graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and Thompson played college basketball at Washington State. Thompson lived in the Bay while playing for the Warriors, and would've remained living in California if he signed with the Lakers.

Obviously, Thompson likes the direction the Mavs are heading in with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the team. Playing with those two players appeared to be more enticing than playing with James and Anthony Davis. And, that is big.

Thompson had four-year offers for more money, but took less money to play in Dallas. California and Texas also have different state taxes which could've also played a factor for Thompson to sign in Dallas. LA in much more pricy to live in than Dallas, and maybe Thompson didn't want to be in a gigantic city like LA.

At the end of the day, the Mavs beat out the Lakers for signing Thompson. This is going to be huge going forward as free agents want to play in Dallas like Thompson.