5 Key reasons Klay Thompson boldly signed with Mavericks over Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks have had a fruitful offseason, making arguably the biggest free-agency move in franchise history by completing a sign-and-trade deal for Klay Thompson.

They don't appear to be done just yet. Still, the acquisition is worth celebrating for no other free agent as highly decorated as the former Golden State Warriors star had chosen to go to Dallas in free agency in the past.

Landing a four-time champion who looks like a perfect fit was a masterstroke for the team, especially since the Mavs had strong competition in the Klay sweepstakes.

5 Key reasons Klay Thompson boldly signed with Mavericks over Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers were also in the running to get him, and they probably could have done so if things had gone their way. But Dallas turned out to be the better option for Thompson, even if his dad doesn't think so.

Interestingly, the Lakers had a better offer for the five-time All-Star. While he ended up joining the Mavs on a three-year, $50 million deal, choosing the Purple and Gold could have had him inking a four-year, $80 million contract and playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

However, Thompson preferred the Dallas route, and his reasons should have the Mavs faithful cheering for his success even more.

5. No state tax in Texas

One of the privileges of playing for a Texas-based team is the absence of state tax. So, while his gross pay with the Lakers would have been higher, Thompson will actually take home a higher net pay in Dallas. In addition, the cost of living in Dallas is lower than most places in California, so that means more savings for the two-way star.

Some folks have mentioned that Thompson will have to deal with a more inflated property tax. An argument against that, though, is that he probably wouldn't sweat it that much since he doesn't necessarily have to purchase a home in the DFW Metroplex. He can stay in the city during the NBA season and head home after hopefully helping the Mavs win a championship.

4. Best chance of winning his fifth ring with the Mavericks

A part of the Golden State Warriors fan base is a bit exasperated about Klay Thompson, calling him a diva. There are even rumors that his antics have become exhausting to the point that it has gotten Draymond Green comparisons. People seem to think that Thompson decided to leave Golden State after feeling lowballed in contract extension negotiations.

However, signing with the Dallas Mavericks appears to reject that notion because he could have gotten a more lucrative and lengthier deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. For the 34-year-old guard, it wasn't about the money but more about sensing that he was being disrespected by the Warriors' top brass.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic (subscription required), Thompson also felt Dallas presented Thompson with "his best chance to win a fifth title." Seeing him think that way isn't surprising, given that the squad was three victories away from clinching the 2024 championship. On the other hand, the Lakers got bounced in the first round and seem to always be in a state of flux.

The Mavs fell way short against the Boston Celtics because of their inefficient perimeter shooting. Their perimeter defense also got exposed, allowing the Celtics' stars to have their way in the Finals.

Thompson is expected to help in those departments. He may be past his prime and several years removed from recovering from devastating injuries, but he still clearly has enough gas left in his tank.

3. Klay Thompson thinks he'll be a great fit next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving

The Los Angeles Lakers looked desperate to land Klay Thompson, and even LeBron James reportedly got in contact with the sharpshooter right after free agency opened, per Adrian Wojnarowski. It appears their conversations continued over the following days until Thompson unequivocally decided to join the Dallas Mavericks.

James even apparently expressed a willingness to take a pay cut if it meant getting Thompson or other free agency targets to come to Los Angeles.

As it turned out, the California native would rather take his talents to Dallas and share the court with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. As Sam Amick reported, Klay tuned into the Finals and "envisioned" himself fitting in with the Mavs' offense by creating space for the team's pair of ball wizards. Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews of ESPN also wrote that Thompson saw himself as an "ideal fit" alongside the Mavs' top guns.

Interestingly, Dallas emerged as last season's leader in field-goal attempts from corner threes. Having stars who demand a lot of defensive attention as Doncic and Irving do has provided the squad with plenty of good looks from those zones. Now, imagine a shooter as elite as Thompson running to or parked at the corner; opponents will have to make a pick-your-poison-type of decision night in and night out.

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.

1. Klay Thompson will find more peace in Dallas compared to Los Angeles

Having played professionally since 2011 and collecting almost a handful of rings, Klay Thompson perhaps just wants to play hoops without all the drama. And the Dallas Mavericks will prove to be the perfect spot for him to achieve that goal.

Some might say that the Los Angeles Lakers could have also helped him thrive and recover from a tumultuous end to his Golden State Warriors stint. That could be true, given his familiarity with the place and the proximity to his loved ones. But Thompson was seeking "new experiences" and a "fresh start," and as a source close to him said of a possible move to the Lakers, per Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews, "Would this be trading one fishbowl for another?"

The allure of playing for one of the league's marquee franchises turned out not to be enough to match what the Mavs have to offer. Dallas also appears to have known its audience because, as Sam Amick reported, the laidback and conversational atmosphere of the meeting with Thompson matched well with his "off-court vibe."

For that, the Mavs not only beat out the Lakers but also found a way to address a problem that killed them in the 2024 Finals. As for the new franchise star, he has a prime opportunity to feel peace while still playing the sport he loves.

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