After 13 years with the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson left the franchise this past summer. One of the hottest commodities on the free agent market in the offseason, Thompson had many suitors. Ultimately, he opted to join the Dallas Mavericks, the reigning Western Conference champions. In making this decision, Thompson rejected other interested teams. However, none of the teams he rejected were as notable as the Los Angeles Lakers. The 34-year-old is a Los Angeles native whose father, Mychal Thompson, won back-to-back NBA championships with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988. Still, the younger Thompson joined the Mavericks instead and recently revealed why.
In a feature for ESPN, Thompson revealed to Tim McMahon why he chose to join the Mavericks. According to Thompson, per McMahon, his decision was based on having a big role with a championship contender (link).
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. He craved the opportunity to prove that, at 34 years old and with two major injuries on his medical records, he could still play a major role on a contender.
The Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics during the NBA Finals last season. Though they were outplayed for most of the series, it was clear that Dallas has what it takes to win it all. Alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Thompson aims to be the player that helps them get over the hump.
Klay Thompson Reveals Why He Did Not Join the Los Angeles Lakers
Klay Thompson’s Season With the Dallas Mavericks So Far
The start of Thompson’s Mavericks career has consisted of mixed performances. In his first game, he recorded 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting, seven rebounds, and three steals. However, he also has a seven-point performance where he shot 2-for-7 from the field on his record. In total, Thompson is averaging 13.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2 assists through 10 games. He is also shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.4% from the three-point line. It is a small sample size in a reduced role, but all these numbers are among his season lows.
Furthermore, the Mavericks stand at an even 5-5 through the first 10 games and own the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference. Though far from dominant, the Mavericks are still playing some good basketball. They rank in the top 15 on offense and defense. Additionally, their +4.1 net rating is the eighth-best in the NBA. As for the Lakers, they are 6-4 and own the No. 7 seed.
It seems that Dallas is still working things out. This is natural for a team who had as busy of an offseason as they did. Nonetheless, it is clear that the potential for greatness is there. It is just a matter of when and how they can figure it all out.
The Last Word
Thompson’s reason for joining the Mavericks is fair. They are in a better spot currently and for the future than the Lakers are. Ultimately, it seems that Thompson’s main priority is adding another ring to his collection before it is all said and done. Whether he made the right call or not remains to be seen.
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