5 Key reasons Klay Thompson boldly signed with Mavericks over Lakers

2. The Mavericks prioritized Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson spent 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, and many folks thought he would retire alongside his longtime teammates, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. After all, he was an integral foundation of a dynasty that secured four titles in a span of eight seasons.

But years of not being valued led him to the Dallas Mavericks. Sources say, per Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews, that he was expecting a contract extension offer after the Dubs' 2022 championship. Thompson also had to witness Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and Green ink deals that were favorable to them.

On the other hand, the Mavs ensured that he felt prioritized in the days leading to his free agency decision. Sam Amick painted a picture of how the team's recruiting pitch came to pass during a 90-minute dinner at Hermosa, California.

Aside from Nico Harrison, the president of basketball operations, who is set to lead the organization for several more years (and deservedly so), vice president Michael Finley was also present. The former Mavs star readily answered Thompson's questions about Dallas and his "institutional knowledge."

Jason Kidd also volunteered to cut short his family vacation to join the meeting, but the erstwhile prized free agent said it was not necessary. Moreover, Thompson was in regular communication with Kyrie Irving.

So, the Mavs really brought out the big guns to make the former No. 11 pick feel wanted.

It's unclear how the Los Angeles Lakers tried to sell the team to Thompson. However, Dallas did enough for its newest addition to tell the Lakers there was no more need for a second in-person meeting.